Region :

Asia and the Pacific

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Antimicrobial Resistance

Regional workshop for Private Sector Engagement on Antimicrobial Resistance

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Background

Food systems in South and Southeast Asia are under growing pressure from climate change, biodiversity loss, and rural depopulation. Urbanisation and rising demand for animal-based foods have led to intensified production and increased antibiotic use. Producers must balance growing demand with sustainability, requiring public–private collaboration and science-based solutions.

Animal production is vital to agriculture and nutrition but must transform to support sustainable food systems. Intensive farming and antimicrobial misuse drive antimicrobial resistance (AMR), environmental harm, and food safety risks. Responsible antimicrobial use and good practices, aligned with the One Health approach, are crucial. Research is needed to guide safer use across the food chain.

To address this, the Regional Tripartite (FAO, WHO, WOAH), with EU support, is running the “Working Together to Fight AMR in Asia and the Pacific” project in nine countries. It promotes private sector engagement and partnerships to reduce antimicrobial use.

National workshops in six countries—Indonesia, India, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and China—have involved over 500 stakeholders from 30+ associations and 100+ companies. These efforts have helped align private sector actions with national AMR plans and promote joint initiatives for responsible use.

Objectives

 

  • To create a space for discussion between the public and private sector to foster private sector engagement in the Region to reduce the level of antimicrobials in food production chain.
  • To work together on priorities and challenges of public and private join activities for the development and implementation of alternatives to antimicrobials and propose way forward.
  • To present portfolio of proposed joint activities between public and private sector collected during national workshops carried out during the implementation of the project.
  • To facilitate AMR governance, improve antimicrobial stewardship, and prevent contamination of food and the environment with antimicrobials and antimicrobial residues by improving the regulatory context.
  • To find resources to support AMR related activities and sustainable public and private collaboration at national and regional level.

 

Details

Participation: By invitation