The G20 met in Hangzhou, China on 4-5 September 2016 to discuss the challenges to and opportunities for international economic cooperation, and which steps may need to be taken to improve global economic growth. At this meeting, the crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was discussed, and the G20 has issued a statement promising to promote prudent antibiotic use and calling on the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the
“Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a serious threat to public health, growth and global economic stability. We affirm the need to explore in an inclusive manner to fight antimicrobial resistance by developing evidence-based ways to prevent and mitigate resistance, and unlock research and development into new and existing antimicrobials from a G20 value-added perspective, and call on the WHO, FAO, OIE and OECD to collectively report back in 2017 on options to address this including the economic aspects. In this context, we will promote prudent use of antibiotics and take into consideration huge challenges of affordability and access of antimicrobials and their impact on public health. We strongly support the work of the WHO, FAO and the OIE and look forward to a successful high-level meeting on AMR during the UN General Assembly. We look forward to the discussion under the upcoming presidency for dealing with these issues.”
To read the full G20 Communique, please click here.