EXECUTIVE BOARD 138th session Provisional agenda item 8.5
EB138/24 20 November 2015
Global action plan on antimicrobial resistance Options, including potential deliverables, for the conduct of a high-level meeting in 2016, in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly Report by the Secretariat
1. In May 2014, in resolution WHA67.25 on antimicrobial resistance, the Sixty-seventh World Health Assembly requested the Director-General, among other things, to explore with the United Nations Secretary-General options for a high-level initiative, including a high-level meeting, to increase political awareness, engagement and leadership on antimicrobial resistance. It also requested the Director-General to submit to the Sixty-eighth World Health Assembly, through the Executive Board at its 136th session, a draft global action plan to combat antimicrobial resistance, including antibiotic resistance, together with a summary report on progress made in implementing the other aspects of the resolution. 2. In January 2015, the Secretariat presented to the Executive Board at its 136th session a summary report on progress made in implementing resolution WHA67.25.1 It reported that the Director-General had written to the United Nations Secretary-General informing him of resolution WHA67.25 and in particular the Health Assembly’s request for exploration of a high-level initiative, including a high-level meeting, to increase political awareness, engagement and leadership on antimicrobial resistance. In reply, the Secretary-General had assured the Director-General of his full support for the work of WHO and Member States on antimicrobial resistance. 3. In May 2015, the Sixty-eighth World Health Assembly adopted, by resolution WHA68.7, the global action plan on antimicrobial resistance. In that resolution, it requested the Director-General, among other things, to elaborate, in consultation with the United Nations Secretary-General, options for the conduct of a high-level meeting in 2016, in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly, including potential deliverables, and to report to the Sixty-ninth World Health Assembly through the 138th session of the Executive Board. 4. Accordingly, the Director-General and senior colleagues have been holding consultations with the United Nations to explore options for the conduct of a high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance in 2016. These include convening a high-level meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2016 and convening a high-level side event on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in 2016. Both options would involve the participation of Heads of State 1
See document EB136/19.
EB138/24
and Government, and consultations with Member States on the scope, modalities, format and organization of the high-level meeting. 5. The potential deliverables of the high-level meeting are also being explored, and include a resolution and a political declaration. A resolution could be a General Assembly resolution that focuses specifically on antimicrobial resistance or one that highlights a call for action on antimicrobial resistance. The outcome documents would aim to generate global momentum and commitment with regard to both implementing the global action plan on antimicrobial resistance and including antimicrobial resistance in investment decisions. 6. The Director-General will continue to liaise with the United Nations Secretary-General and with Member States to explore these options further.
ACTION BY THE EXECUTIVE BOARD 7. The Board is invited to note the report.
=
=
=
2