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Antimicrobial resistance
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World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) is a global campaign held annually from 18 to 24 November to raise awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to promote coordinated action across the One Health spectrum.
WAAW brings together stakeholders from human, animal and environmental health to encourage responsible and sustainable use of antimicrobials. Veterinarians, farmers, policymakers, public health professionals, environmental actors, youth, civil society and the media all play a vital role in reducing the emergence and spread of resistant pathogens. Throughout the week, countries and partners organise a wide range of activities, including technical events, awareness campaigns, policy dialogues and community engagement initiatives.
The 2026 theme, “One Health, one action: Prevent AMR now”, highlights the urgent need to translate commitment into concrete, coordinated measures across sectors. AMR continues to threaten animal health, food security, livelihoods and global trade, with direct consequences for public health and ecosystem stability.
From an animal health perspective, preventing AMR requires strengthened veterinary services, improved biosecurity and infection prevention, responsible and prudent use of antimicrobials, and expanded access to quality veterinary medicines and diagnostics. Effective surveillance systems and data sharing across sectors remain essential to guide evidence-based policies and interventions.
Building on global momentum, including commitments made at the United Nations General Assembly High-level Meeting on AMR, WAAW 2026 calls on Members and partners to accelerate implementation of national action plans. Sustained investment, capacity building and innovation are critical to safeguard the effectiveness of antimicrobials.
Every action counts. Whether through strengthening farm management practices, improving vaccination coverage, enhancing regulatory frameworks or raising awareness, collective efforts can slow the spread of resistance. By working together under a One Health approach, we can protect animal health, support sustainable food systems and preserve antimicrobial effectiveness for future generations.
For resources supporting AMR awareness, see our global page for Antimicrobial Resistance, where you may find relevant events, videos, factsheets, infographics and other tools for building a campaign, supporting a national or sub-national communication strategy, or simply learning more and sharing knowledge with others.
One example can be found below – our video, “AMR impacts animal health and food safety too“. You may find many more on the global page.
You may also refer to the WAAW 2026 campaign resources (to be updated, please check back regularly).
Arabic: !صحة واحدة، خطوة واحدة: لنوقف مقاومة مضادات الميكروبات الآن
Chinese: 同一健康，同一行动：立即预防抗微生物药物耐药性
English: One Health, one action: Prevent AMR now
French: Une seule santé, une seule action: Agir maintenant pour prévenir la RAM
Russian: Единое здоровье, единое действие: Предотвратим УПП сейчас
Spanish: Una sola salud, una sola acción: prevenir la RAM ya
AMR impacts animal health and food safety too
Participants at the launch event of the Mongolia National AMR Communication Strategy.
WOAH actively contributes to the global public conversation on antimicrobial resistance through many initiatives, including events individually organised or jointly with Quadripartite partners (FAO, WHO and UNEP) such as conferences and trainings on related topics, supporting campaigns such as World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW), and through our participation in political fora.
View many of our AMR-related events in the Asia Pacific region here, where you may view meeting reports, presentations, and recordings. Photos from WOAH-supported 2026 AMR activities so far, are also found below. Listed are AMR activities organised by our Members and us. Please check back for more stories as they take place.
(July 2026) Laboratory training for AMU-AMR surveillance at NVAL, Tsukuba, Japan.
(9 April 2026) Dr Purev (IVM) handing out materials at the seminar for veterinary students on AMR and AMU.
(9 April 2026) Group photo of participants and organisers at the seminar for veterinary students on AMR.
(8 April 2026) Meeting with Mongolia’s GAVS on the benefits and process of antimicrobial use (AMU) data submission.
(April 2026) The AMR Communication Strategy for Mongolia, published April 2026.
(10 April 2026) Dr B. Batsukh (GAVS), and Dr Suwanthada (WOAH), present the Mongolia National AMR Communication Strategy.
