Every year from 18 until 24 November the World of Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) takes place. It is a global campaign to improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and encourages best practices among the public, One Health stakeholders, and policymakers. They all play a critical role in reducing the further emergence and spread of AMR.

The WAAW is organised by the Quadripartite organisations: the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as OIE).

This year’s theme is ‘Preventing antimicrobial resistance together’. It focuses on a One Health approach and inspires collaboration across sectors. AMR is a threat to humans, animals, plants and the environment and fighting it is a global endeavour.

The topic inspires all sectors to join forces in encouraging the prudent use of antimicrobials, as well as preventive measures. Essential in decreasing the need for antimicrobials is strengthening infection prevention and control in health care facilities, farms and food industry premises, ensuring access to vaccines, clean water, sanitation and hygiene, implementing best practices in food and agriculture production, and guaranteeing the sound management of waste and wastewater from relevant industries. This results in minimising the emergence and transmission of AMR.

Global-PPS supports local antimicrobial stewardship teams by identifying their burdens, changing practices, and measuring the impact of interventions.