AMR threat

Barbados has warned that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) if not addressed has the potential to become the leading cause of deaths globally by the year 2050.

In a bid to address this, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley is calling for bold political action globally to tackle AMRs, so the world is not overrun by this threat.

AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.

Prime Minister Mottley, who is the Co-Chair of the One Health Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance, chaired the Sixth meeting of the Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance, where critical issues in response to AMR, including financing, were addressed.

Following the closed door session, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) spotlight report Bracing for Superbugs: Strengthening Environmental Action in the One Health Response to Antimicrobial Resistance was launched.

Ms. Mottley says the report ensures the world is far more sensitive to the realities taking place in the environment.

Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme Inger Andersen, says AMR will hit the poorest and most vulnerable.

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