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Supporting countries with national action plan implementation and monitoring

In May 2015, the Sixty-Eighth World Health Assembly adopted the "Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance." The goal of the global action plan is to ensure, for as long as possible, continuity of successful treatment and prevention of infectious diseases with effective and safe medicines that are quality-assured, used in a responsible way, and accessible to all who need them.

To achieve this goal, the global action plan sets out five strategic objectives:

  • to improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance;
  • to strengthen knowledge through surveillance and research;
  • to reduce the incidence of infection;
  • to optimize the use of antimicrobial agents; and
  • develop the economic case for sustainable investment that takes account of the needs of all countries, and increase investment in new medicines, diagnostic tools, vaccines and other interventions.

The World Health Assembly also urged all Member States to develop and have in place by 2017, national action plans on antimicrobial resistance that are aligned with the objectives of the global action plan.

178

countries

have finalized their National Action Plan, aligned with the objectives of the GAP (as of Nov 2023)

38

countries

are in the process of developing their national action plans.

Resources for National Action Plans

Tools for National Action Plan Development and Implementation

National Action Plan for AMR Sample Template

Sample template for in-country development and implementation of antimicrobial resistance national action plans, to be adapted as needed. All language versions available for download below. 

Multisectoral Coordination TORs

Sample terms of reference for a national multisectoral coordinating group, for a national focal point and for a technical working group at country level. All language versions available for download below.

Ongoing Projects

Antimicrobial Awareness Survey

WHO, in partnership with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), has developed a validated survey tool to help countries determine a baseline awareness level amongst healthcare workers on antibiotic resistance

AMR and Health Security

Publications

Implementing the global action plan on antimicrobial resistance: first quadripartite biennial report

The first quadripartite biennial report summarizes progress in the implementation of multisectoral national action plans, actions by the quadripartite...

People-centred approach to addressing antimicrobial resistance in human health: WHO core package of interventions to support national action plans

This document outlines the concept and content of the WHO people-centred approach to addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the human health sector....

Guidance to facilitate monitoring and evaluation for antimicrobial resistance national action plans

This guidance document has been developed as a reference for countries to support the development and delivery of national action plans on antimicrobial...

Mali national action plan on antimicrobial resistance: review of progress in the human health sector

This policy brief aims to provide a review of the current progress on implementing the Mali national action plan on AMR, identifies critical gaps, and...

Kenya national action plan on antimicrobial resistance: review of progress in the human health sector

This policy brief aims to provide a review of the current progress on implementing the Kenya national action plan on AMR, identifies critical gaps, and...

Malawi national action plan on antimicrobial resistance: review of progress in the human health sector

This policy brief aims to provide a review of the current progress on implementing the Malawi national action plan on AMR, identifies critical gaps, and...

WHO implementation handbook for national action plans on antimicrobial resistance: guidance for the human health sector

In 2015 the World Health Assembly endorsed the Global action plan on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) calling on countries to develop and implement national...

Burkina Faso national action plan on antimicrobial resistance: review of progress in the human health sector

This policy brief aims to provide a review of the current progress on implementing the Burkina Faso national action plan on AMR, identifies critical gaps,...

WHO Costing and Budgeting Tool for National Action Plans on Antimicrobial Resistance

In 2015, to advance the global and national response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the World Health Assembly issued resolution WHA68.7 calling for...

Monitoring global progress on antimicrobial resistance: Tripartite AMR country self-assessment survey (TrACSS) 2019-2020

The Tripartite AMR Country Self-Assessment Survey (TrACSS) helps to monitor country progress on the implementation of AMR national actions plans and has...

Monitoring and evaluation of the global action plan on antimicrobial resistance

The global action plan on antimicrobial resistance (hereinafter “GAP”) is the world’s blueprint for tackling the emergence and spread...

Turning plans into action for antimicrobial resistance (‎AMR) Working Paper 2.0: Implementation and coordination

Since the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) was adopted in 2015, more than half the world’s countries have developed their own...

This working paper aims to assist countries to take the first step towards better considering gender and equity issues in their efforts to tackle AMR,...

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most complex public health threats the world has faced. No single government department or independent organization...

Antimicrobial resistance: a manual for developing national action plans

This manual for developing national action plans to address antimicrobial resistance has been developed at the request of the World Health Assembly to...

In the late 1990s and 2000, WHO convened a series of consultative groups, expert workshops, and consensus meetings to assess the growing public health...