ECSA-HC, IGAD, and AU Join Forces to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance in Africa

On June 14, 2024, over 60 participants from nine African countries gathered in Arusha, Tanzania, for the inaugural joint regional meeting organized by the East, Central, and Southern African Health Community (ECSA-HC), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the African Union (AU). The focus of the meeting was twofold: to prepare for the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and to establish a Community of Practice (CoP) for AMR and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC).
The meeting took place on June 14, 2024, as part of the broader efforts to prepare the African continent for the significant discussions and commitments expected during the UNGA High-Level Meeting on AMR, scheduled for September 26, 2024.

The meeting was a collaborative effort aimed at uniting stakeholders from various sectors, including healthcare, government, development partners, and the media, to advance regional priorities in combating AMR. Participants reviewed and endorsed the Terms of Reference for the newly established CoP, which will play a crucial role in facilitating knowledge sharing, best practices, and the development of strategies to address AMR and IPC across the region.
This pivotal event was attended by representatives from Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. These countries were joined by regional experts and key stakeholders, all of whom contributed to the discussions on how best to implement the One Health approach to combat AMR.

AMR poses a severe threat to global health, food security, and economic development, particularly in Africa. With the region facing a disproportionately high burden of AMR, the meeting was organized to ensure that Africa’s voice and priorities are effectively represented at the UNGA High-Level Meeting on AMR. The establishment of the CoP for AMR and IPC aims to strengthen regional collaboration and enhance the capacity of health systems to combat AMR, ultimately contributing to more resilient and sustainable health outcomes.The meeting was organized with clear objectives to ensure a focused and productive dialogue. These objectives included:

1. Launching the Community of Practice on AMR and IPC: The inaugural meeting aimed to establish the CoP, review, and endorse its Terms of Reference, setting the foundation for ongoing collaboration across the region.
2. Reflecting on One Health Progress: Participants examined recent advances in the One Health domain, identifying gaps and challenges that need to be addressed to implement strong One Health interventions effectively, including governance and financing.
3. Preparing for the 2024 UNGA High-Level Meeting on AMR: The meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to contribute to the preparatory process, ensuring that scientific advances and successful country experiences in the One Health approach are translated into meaningful and sustainable outcomes at the global level.
4. Exploring Key Challenges and Solutions: The meeting served as a forum for discussing the major challenges in addressing AMR at national, regional, and global levels, and for brainstorming potential solutions.

During the meeting, several critical discussions took place, which led to important recommendations:

• One Health Integration: Participants underscored the importance of integrating the One Health approach into national AMR strategies. This integration is essential for addressing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in the fight against AMR.
• Governance and Financing: Effective governance and sustainable financing were identified as key pillars for the success of AMR interventions. The need for robust leadership and adequate funding mechanisms was emphasized to ensure long-term impact.
• Regional Collaboration: The meeting highlighted the necessity for strengthened regional collaboration, with the CoP acting as a central platform for sharing knowledge, experiences, and resources across countries.
• UNGA HLM on AMR Preparations: The discussions culminated in the development of a regional communique, which was later submitted and adopted by the 73rd ECSA-HC Health Ministers Conference. This communique ensures that the African perspective is prominently represented at the upcoming UNGA High-Level Meeting on AMR.