Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial agents. As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents become ineffective and infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.

The World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) is a global campaign to raise awareness and increase understanding of AMR and to promote global action to tackle the emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens. As one of WHO’s official health campaigns, WAAW is mandated by the World Health Assembly and is commemorated annually from 18 to 24 November.

The theme for WAAW 2025 is “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future.”

This theme underscores the urgent need to take bold, united action to address AMR. AMR is already harming our health, food systems, environment and economies. It’s not a future challenge. It is happening now. Drug-resistant infections are increasing, yet awareness, investment and action are still falling short.

Building on the momentum of the 2024 United Nations General Assembly High-level Meeting on AMR, this call to action urges all stakeholders, including governments, civil society, health-care providers, veterinarians, farmers, environmental actors and the public to translate the political commitments into tangible, accountable, life-saving interventions. To “protect our present and secure our future”, we must prioritize long-term investment and strategic action in the human, animal and environmental health sectors. Strengthening surveillance, ensuring equitable access to quality medicines and diagnostics, fostering innovation and building resilient systems all require long-term commitment and resources.

Investment in AMR action is a smart move for a safer, healthier future. Whether it’s a hospital administrator setting up an antimicrobial stewardship team or a farmer adopting sustainable waste management practices, every action counts. No matter your role – whether shaping policy, delivering care, protecting ecosystems or raising awareness, “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future” is a shared responsibility. Together, we can keep antimicrobials effective and build a healthier, more sustainable world for the generations to come.

WAAW 2025 theme in six languages:

• Arabic: تحرك الآن: من أجل حماية حاضرنا وتأمين مستقبلنا.
• Chinese: 立即行动：守护当下，保障未来。
• English: Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future.
• French : Agissons maintenant : protégeons notre présent, sécurisons notre avenir.
• Russian: Время действовать: защитим настоящее, проявим заботу о будущем.
• Spanish: Actuemos ya: protejamos nuestro presente, aseguremos nuestro future.

A brief description of the theme is available in six languages here.