Nigeria will host the world’s highest-level ministerial meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) for the first time on African soil, marking a significant shift in global efforts to address one of the leading public health threats.
The 5th High-Level Ministerial Meeting on AMR is scheduled for June 28–30, 2026, in Abuja under the theme “One Health — Advancing Global AMR Commitments through Local Action.” The meeting is expected to draw delegations from more than 100 countries, alongside heads of state including those from Botswana, Ghana, and Nigeria.
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will host the opening ceremony.
“AMR is a big threat and continues to kill many people, especially in low- and middle-income countries and the Global South,” said Dr. Jean Pierre Nyemazi, Director of the Quadripartite Joint Secretariat on AMR.
The meeting marks the first time the global forum is being held in a low- or middle-income country, following previous editions in countries such as the Netherlands, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.
AMR—often referred to as drug resistance—occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to medicines, rendering treatments ineffective and increasing the risk of severe illness and death. It is driven largely by the misuse and overuse of antimicrobial drugs in human health, agriculture, and animal production.
“Misuse and overuse of medicines is rampant across sectors—from human health to livestock and agriculture—and is also polluting our environment,” said Shobha Shukla, Chairperson of the Global AMR Media Alliance.
The upcoming meeting aims to accelerate implementation of national action plans and build on commitments made at the 2024 United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on AMR and the Jeddah ministerial meeting the same year.
“The task for this meeting is to enable the acceleration of multisectoral national action plans on AMR, supported by effective governance and sustainable investment,” Nyemazi said. “We must walk the talk on the One Health approach.”
The “One Health” framework recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, and the need for coordinated responses across sectors.
Dr. Ayoade Alakija, Nigeria’s Ministerial Global Envoy on AMR, said the Abuja meeting would differ from previous ones by bringing together ministers beyond health, including those responsible for agriculture, environment, and finance.
“AMR is not just about protecting medicines—it is about protecting our animals, food systems, and environment,” Alakija said. “We need all sectors working together.”
She added that investment in AMR response yields significant returns. “If we invest one dollar in AMR, the return on investment is eleven dollars. These are strategic investments our countries need.”
A key global target is to reduce AMR-related deaths by 10% by 2030, compared with an estimated 4.9 million deaths associated with AMR in 2019.
Experts say simple, cost-effective interventions—such as improved hygiene, better infection prevention, and equitable access to essential medicines—could significantly reduce the burden.
However, funding gaps remain a major challenge, particularly in low-resource settings.
“If we do not fully fund our AMR action plans, how are we going to get the work done?” Alakija asked. “We must involve those responsible for financing and ensure sustainable investment.”
The meeting is supported by global agencies including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
Participants are also expected to address equity concerns, as the burden of AMR disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries.
“All of us are at risk of AMR, but those in underserved settings face a much higher risk,” Shukla said. “We must ensure equitable access to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment—leaving no one behind.”
Organisers say the Abuja meeting is not just a milestone event, but part of a broader push to sustain global momentum against AMR.
“The meeting itself is just a moment in time,” Alakija said. “The real goal is to advance and sustain global efforts to curb AMR in Nigeria, Africa, and beyond.”
