Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance in African Animal Health Emphasized

In response to the pressing necessity to address Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) within the realm of animal health, the African Union-Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is orchestrating a virtual assembly. This initiative follows the favorable outcomes of the inaugural Africa AMR Surveillance Network (AMRSNET) Forum, which took place online in September 2023.

Set to unfold from February 5th to 7th, 2024, the online Regional AMR Forum Meeting will convene representatives from select French-speaking countries affiliated with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the East African Community (EAC), and the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA). Noteworthy participants include Guinea Conakry, Sao Tome, Senegal, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin, Togo, Chad, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Djibouti, Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria.

Justification

The excessive utilization of antimicrobials in the management of animal ailments across Africa has precipitated a disconcerting surge in antimicrobial resistance. To address this concern, AU-IBAR, serving as a specialized technical arm within the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (DARBE) of the African Union Commission (AUC), is committed to orchestrating concerted endeavors for the judicious utilization of animal resources.

This virtual convening resonates with the overarching mandate and vision of AU-IBAR. It also accords with the African Union Framework for Antimicrobial Resistance Control (2020-2025) and the AU Task Force for AMR control, prioritizing the enhancement of surveillance mechanisms, the mitigation of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) emergence, the containment of transmission, and the mitigation of harm induced by AMR pathogens.

Objectives and Expected Outcomes

The primary aim of the gathering is to foster knowledge exchange among member states of the African Union within the ECOWAS, EAC, and UMA regions concerning antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance within the domain of animal health. Specific objectives encompass the encouragement of cross-border learning, the establishment of linkages among Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) focal points, and the facilitation of information dissemination among designated French-speaking AU member states.

Anticipated outcomes encompass the dissemination of insights among Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) focal points, the assimilation of pertinent experiences by AU member states, and the fortification of camaraderie within the AMRSNET community. These outcomes are poised to bolster AMR surveillance capabilities and collaborative endeavors in combatting this burgeoning health crisis.

The itinerary for the Regional African Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network (AMRSNET) Forum spans three days and is tailored to cultivate collaborative interactions and knowledge dissemination. The inaugural day encompasses introductory remarks and presentations elucidating the aims and anticipated outputs of the learning forum.

The second day pivots towards country-specific presentations on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) initiatives, followed by ensuing deliberations. The concluding day entails additional country presentations, regional synopses, and discussions centered around AMRSNET, and culminates with closing remarks underscoring the imperative of collective action in confronting antimicrobial resistance within the region.

In summation, the forthcoming Virtual Regional AMR Forum Meeting, catering to designated French-speaking countries within ECOWAS, EAC, and UMA, constitutes a pivotal stride in collective endeavors to mitigate antimicrobial resistance within the domain of animal health.

Harnessing the virtual platform for knowledge dissemination, this assembly aspires to significantly contribute to the AU’s vision of an Africa where animal resources assume a pivotal role in integration, prosperity, and peace

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