Siem Reap: November, 4 2024 The United Nations and governments worldwide recognise antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a serious challenge that needs solutions urgently so that antibiotics continue to protect people and animals from death and disease. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched a Joint Regional Capacity Building and Planning Meeting under the One FAO Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Framework.
Running for five days, the event focuses on two crucial FAO projects: the “Action to Support Implementation of Codex AMR Texts (ACT)” project, funded by the Republic of Korea, and the FAO Fleming Fund 3 (FF3) global initiative, funded by the United Kingdom Fleming Fund. Both projects are designed to combat antimicrobial resistance within the agrifood sectors. The combined meetings enable the project teams to learn from other countries’ experiences and develop work plans.
The event brings together 65 participants representing the two FAO projects in Asian and Latin American countries, including Bangladesh, Bolivia, Cambodia, Columbia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Pakistan, The Philippines, and Vietnam. Participants included delegates from the government of the Republic of Korea and FAO staff from its headquarters in Rome and its regional office in Bangkok. Stakeholders at the meeting included feed regulators, development partners, and government representatives.
The opening ceremony included speeches from HE Sen Sovann, Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF); Dr. Thanawat Tiensin, Assistant Director-General, FAO; Ms. Rebekah Bell, FAO Representative in Cambodia; and Dr Chi-Yeun Cheung, Senior Scientific Officer, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
In his speech, H.E. Sen Sovann emphasized, “Over the past three years, Cambodia, through MAFF, has contributed to fighting against the spread of AMR in the framework of improving animal production, feed production, aquaculture, and good practices. We have implemented related to the handling of veterinary drugs and appropriate use, AMR surveillance, awareness raising, capacity to farmers and regulators, implementation of one health legal framework, and undertaking regular vaccination and good practices in farms to arrive at better production and a better environment.”
Ms Rebekah Bell, FAO Representative in Cambodia, remarked, “The roots of AMR lie in the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials across human, agricultural, and environmental contexts. Both the ACT and Fleming Fund projects are committed to combating this issue by raising awareness, expanding surveillance, and promoting best practices. Let’s work together to safeguard the health, food security, and economic prosperity of Cambodia and the surrounding region.”
Dr. Thanawat Tiensin, FAO Assistant Director-General, emphasized through a video call the urgent need to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR), describing it as a “silent pandemic” affecting global health, agriculture, the environment, and economies. He emphasized that immediate action is crucial to combating AMR’s spread. One key way to achieve this is through the Reduce the Need for Antimicrobials on Farms for Sustainable Agrifood Systems Transformation (RENOFARM) initiative, which will contribute toward countries’ agrifood systems transformation by providing comprehensive support in implementing good production practices. Dr Tiensin highlighted FAO’s upcoming 80th anniversary in 2025, which will focus on advancing agri-food systems through improved planning, innovation, and collaboration.
Dr Chi-Yeun Cheung, Senior Scientific Officer, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, stated, “This meeting is important for the Republic of Korea, as the donor of the ACT project, to share global, regional, and local achievements and experiences from the ACT countries that have been implementing the project and to strengthen collaboration.”.
Cambodia was highlighted as a model for its active involvement in both the ACT and FF3 projects. Launched in 2021, the ACT project aims to implement Codex Alimentarius standards to mitigate foodborne AMR through systematic monitoring of antimicrobial use, while the FF3 project, initiated in 2022, focuses on gathering essential data on AMR across different regions.
Ms Sarah Cahill, Codex Secretary, through a video address, emphasized, “The value of Codex texts is acknowledged at the highest levels and as a resource for addressing one of the most important global health challenges of the 21st century.” She further stated, “The four pillars of the ACT project aim that improving awareness, governance, surveillance, and good practices are underpinned by our Codex AMR texts. Just three years into the project, we can celebrate successes across all six implementing countries. These range from enhancing understanding of responsible and prudent antimicrobial use among livestock caregivers in Pakistan to implementing training and surveillance initiatives in Cambodia, Mongolia, and Nepal, as well as advancing a One Health approach to governance in Colombia and the Plurinational State of Bolivia.”
The Joint Regional Capacity Building and Planning Meeting establishes an effective platform for addressing antimicrobial resistance in Asian and South American countries. The collaborative efforts of participants in the next few days will result in actionable plans and strategies aimed at enhancing public health and agricultural practices. This meeting marks an important step toward ensuring a healthier future for the region, highlighting the importance of united efforts in combating this pressing global challenge.
Photo by: FAO Cambodia
