One Health and AMR Containment

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health issue that threatens humans, animals, and ecosystems. Although called a “silent pandemic,” progress in implementing national and international action plans is slow, due to the complex, multisectoral nature of AMR. The One Health approach, supported by FAO, WHO, WOAH, and UNEP, offers a comprehensive framework by recognising the connections among humans, animals, plants, and ecosystems. Key components include human, animal, agricultural, and environmental health, with prerequisites such as political commitment, funding, information exchange, institutional cooperation, and community involvement. It advocates for joint efforts to promote responsible antimicrobial use, integrated surveillance, improved infection prevention, and the development of research, innovation, and public awareness. Major obstacles involve fragmented data, weak regulations, limited resources, and siloed governance. Solutions focus on multisectoral stewardship, coordinated management, sustainable policy changes, and capacity building. Moving from concept to practice, the One Health strategy presents the most promising route to controlling AMR sustainably and protecting global health security.