Geneva – At the 78th World Health Assembly, two significant advancements were witnessed in the global health field: the update of the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and the adoption of the first-ever Global Action Plan on climate Change and Health.
The Action Plan for Antimicrobial Resistance has been updated
The conference approved a key decision to update the Global Plan of Action on Antimicrobial Resistance in preparation for the World Health Assembly (WHA79) in 2026. According to the Global Burden of Disease, Injury and Risk Factors Study (GBD), as of 2021, an estimated 4.71 million people died from bacterial AMR. This update aims to provide a practical framework for the next decade to achieve the goals set out in the Political Declaration of the 2024 High-level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on Antimicrobial Resistance, including reducing global deaths related to bacterial AMR by 10% by 2030.
Since the adoption of the Global Action Plan in 2015, more than 170 countries have formulated multi-sectoral national action plans to deal with AMR. The new plan will provide the latest guidelines to help countries accelerate their implementation pace and adopt a multi-sectoral approach of “One Health”, aiming to sustainably balance and optimize the health of humans, animals and ecosystems. The World Health Organization (WHO) will work with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) to develop this update in collaboration with member states and relevant stakeholders.
The conference also reviewed the progress made by various countries in infection prevention, ensuring high-quality and affordable diagnosis and treatment, strengthening surveillance, research and innovation, as well as enhancing AMR awareness, governance and financing. Looking to the future, the World Health Organization will support countries in integrating AMR intervention measures into health sector planning and financing, improving efficiency, and strengthening the coordination and governance of response efforts at all levels.
The Global Action Plan on Climate Change and Health was adopted
At the same time, the 78th World Health Assembly also adopted the Global Action Plan on Climate Change and Health 2025-2028, marking an important step forward in global health and climate policies. The plan acknowledges the urgent need to address the impact of climate change on health and positions the health system as part of the climate solution.
It aims to provide a strategic framework to guide Member States, the WHO Secretariat and other stakeholders in developing climate-resilient low-carbon health systems, strengthening monitoring and early warning systems, protecting vulnerable groups, and integrating health into climate policies and financing mechanisms. This plan is based on the commitments of the previous Conference of the Parties (COP) and the outcomes of the Executive Committee meeting in February 2025, supporting the World Health Organization in playing a leading role in the global climate agenda and coordinating actions and implementation at the national level.
Although the General Assembly expressed support for this important development, some Member States also pointed out that more time and dialogue were needed to reach a consensus on certain principles and language to be used in the future action plan.
Related Topics:
