World AMR Awareness Week 2025

World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) – formerly World Antimicrobial Awareness Week – is an annual global campaign to improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). WAAW is commemorated every year from 18 to 24 November.

This week also aims to encourage best practices among the public, healthcare workers, animal health professionals, environmentalists, farmers, policymakers, the youth, civil society and media, who play a critical role in reducing the further emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens. Over the week, activities including high-level events, global youth summits, technical webinars, panel discussions, and many other celebrations are organized around the world.

“Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future”

This year’s theme underscores the urgent need for bold, coordinated, cross-sectoral action to address AMR, a growing global threat that is already affecting our health, food systems, environment and economies.

AMR is not a distant challenge; it is a present danger that demands immediate, sustained action. Drug-resistant infections are increasing, yet awareness, financing, investment and action remain insufficient.

Building on the momentum of the 2024 United Nations General Assembly High-level Meeting on AMR, this call to action urges all stakeholders, including governments, civil society, health-care providers, veterinarians, farmers, environmental actors and the public to translate the political commitments into tangible, accountable, life-saving interventions. To protect our present and secure our future, we must prioritise long-term investment and strategic action in the human, animal and environmental health sectors. Strengthening surveillance, ensuring equitable access to quality medicines and diagnostics, fostering innovation and building resilient systems all require long-term commitment and resources.

Investment in AMR action is smart. It is an essential step toward a healthier, more secure future. Whether it is a hospital administrator establishing an antimicrobial stewardship team or a farmer adopting sustainable waste management practices, every action counts. No matter your role – whether shaping policy, delivering care, protecting ecosystems or raising awareness, “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future” is a shared responsibility. Together, we can preserve the effectiveness of antimicrobials and ensure a healthier, more sustainable world for the generations to come.

Resources

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, “Fight antimicrobial resistance: use antimicrobials responsibly“. You may find many more on the global page.

You may also refer to the WAAW 2024 campaign resources.