World leaders agree on action to combat antimicrobial resistance

Members of the United Nations yesterday committed to concerted action to address antimicrobial resistance. In a draft political declaration to be transmitted to the General Assembly for adoption, they agreed to develop national action plans on antimicrobial resistance in line with the World Health Organization global action plan and to mobilize resources to implement those programs, among other actions. Participants at the meeting stressed that antimicrobial resistance poses a number of grave threats to humanity, including a possible resurgence in tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/AIDS deaths and food insecurity due to negative impacts on agriculture.