6 December 2025, Cairo, Egypt – On 6 December 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean and ReAct Africa signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen efforts against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
This strategic partnership aims to enhance collaboration across countries in the Region and ensure a coordinated approach to tackling AMR at the national and regional levels.
“Antimicrobial resistance is one of the biggest health challenges facing our Region. We have the highest levels of bacterial resistance and antibiotic consumption in the world. The WHO and ReAct collaboration will help countries build stronger systems to prevent and manage drug resistant infections,” said Dr Benedetta Allegranzi, Director of the Department of Communicable Diseases at the Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean.
The MoU provides a cooperative framework that will facilitate collaboration on addressing AMR. Key objectives include:
supporting the implementation and review of AMR national action plans;
strengthening AMR governance, accountability and multisectoral coordination mechanisms;
promoting antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention and control (IPC) in health facilities;
advancing awareness, behavioural change and risk communication and community engagement campaigns;
facilitating knowledge sharing, joint technical missions and regional policy dialogues; and
advocating for equitable access to diagnostics, antimicrobials and capacity-building resources.
“This partnership with WHO marks an important milestone in advancing a coordinated regional and global response to antimicrobial resistance. By combining ReAct Africa’s experience and expertise with WHO’s technical leadership, we will strengthen the implementation of national action plans and build resilient systems that safeguard public health and preserve the effectiveness of life-saving antimicrobials for future generations,” said Professor Mirfin Mpundu, Cofounder and Executive Director, ReAct Africa.
AMR threatens to undo decades of progress in treating infectious diseases. By joining forces, WHO and ReAct Africa aim to create a sustainable and coordinated response across countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, protecting communities and health systems from the growing threat of resistant infections.
The collaboration, with its emphasis on partnership, knowledge sharing and action at the national and regional levels, marks an important step forward in the global fight against AMR.
