05 August 2025

Excellencies, distinguished colleagues,

It is a pleasure to join you today for this timely roundtable on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and health workforce education.

I thank Dr Saad Alfuhaid, President of the Arabian Gulf University,

for bringing us together, and I warmly acknowledge the leadership of Dr Jameela Alsalman, Chair of WHO’s Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on AMR.

AMR remains one of the defining health challenges of our time. In 2021 alone, more than 96,000 deaths in the Eastern Mediterranean Region were attributable to bacterial AMR—nearly a third of this was among children under five.

Across our Region, surveillance systems remain limited, and diagnostic stewardship is underdeveloped. Equitable access to quality antibiotics is not guaranteed—undermined by disrupted supply chains and compounded by over-the-counter sales that contribute to inappropriate use.

Yet there are signs of meaningful progress. Infection prevention and control; vaccination; and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) are increasingly recognized as vital tools in AMR prevention. And nearly all Member States have developed national action plans—a sign of strong political will.

Countries across the Region are integrating WHO’s AWaRe classification into their essential medicines lists, and One Health coordination is advancing.

But for these efforts to succeed, we need a health workforce that is equipped, empowered, and supported. Education and training are our first line of defence.

Future health professionals—whether prescribers or not—must understand the science behind antimicrobial drugs, how to prevent infections, engage with communities, and ensure the safe and responsible use of antimicrobials.

WHO has developed a range of tools to support Member States, including a competency framework, curriculum guidance, and assessment tools for medical institutions. These must now be used to systematically review and strengthen education programmes.

WHO Collaborating Centres—like the ones at the Arabian Gulf University and the University of Bahrain—are central to this effort. They serve as knowledge hubs and accelerators for national capacity-building and implementation.

Your commitment to investing in health workers and enhancing stewardship is critical. And WHO stands ready to support you through our regional flagship initiative on investing in a fit-for-the-future resilient health workforce.

The 2024 UNGA Political Declaration and the Jeddah Commitments provide a strong mandate. A new Global Action Plan is being drafted. I trust you will proactively contribute to this process, including during the upcoming regional Member States consultation on the draft Global Action Plan scheduled for September.

AMR is not just a microbial issue—it is a systems issue. We need to tackle it together.