Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial agents. As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents become ineffective, and infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death.

The World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) is a global campaign to raise awareness and understanding of AMR and promote best practices among One Health stakeholders to reduce the emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections. WAAW is celebrated from 18-24 November every year.

The theme for the World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) 2024 is "Educate. Advocate. Act now." This theme was chosen based on feedback from an online survey among stakeholders from the human, animal, plant, and environmental health sectors, which collected nearly 200 responses globally.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a pressing global health and socioeconomic crisis. It has significant impacts on human and animal health, food production, and the environment. Drug-resistant pathogens pose a threat to everyone, everywhere. Yet, much more can be done to raise public and stakeholder awareness. Therefore, this year's theme calls on the global community to educate stakeholders on AMR, advocate for bold commitments, and take concrete actions in response to AMR.

The 2024 UNGA High-level Meeting on AMR and the fourth Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on AMR, for instance, provide a critical window of opportunity for political and financial commitments as well as increased accountability in response to AMR. Stronger political leadership, advocacy, and accountability are needed at all levels, and the time to act is now. 

Immediately ahead of WAAW 2024, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host the 4th Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance, which will facilitate the implementation of the commitments outlined in the political declaration approved at the 2024 UNGA High-Level Meeting on AMR.