Description

WHO Civil Society Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) supports and strengthens the World Health Organization’s engagement with nongovernmental organizations including civil society groups globally, and foster collaborations, build capacity, and amplify the voices of affected communities in the fight against AMR. The mission of the WHO Civil Society Task Force on AMR is to ensure that civil society groups are able to effectively contribute to the global fight against AMR, securing equitable access to prevention, treatment, and care for all, especially vulnerable populations.

Objectives

• Advocacy and increasing awareness: Raise awareness and understanding of AMR and advocate for WHO’s public health messages and activities on AMR and related areas.
• Effective dissemination: Promote and facilitate the dissemination and effective use of WHO tools and resources related to AMR, and provide technical inputs on selected tools, as and when appropriate.
• Support amplified advocacy: Advocate for increased investment in AMR prevention, mitigation, and research at national, regional, and global levels, securing sustainable funding and political commitment.
• Encourage strengthened collaboration and dialogue: Contribute to and actively participate in WHO’s events and dialogues on AMR, as and when appropriate, including World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW), encouraging collaboration including innovative and strategic engagements for a sustainable and robust AMR response and fostering knowledge sharing among stakeholders.
• Support amplifying the voices of the vulnerable: Ensure that the voices and perspectives of vulnerable populations affected by AMR are heard and considered in high-level convenings and policy discussions, as appropriate

The WHO Civil Society Task Force on AMR membership consists of representatives from civil society organizations who are leading and/or actively involved in AMR-related issues, not individuals acting in a personal capacity. At present, there are 81 member organizations in the Task Force with a 12-member Steering Committee.

As the Secretariat of the WHO Civil Society Task Force on AMR, WHO convenes an annual meeting of the participants. Additional meetings may be convened as necessary. The Secretariat and the Steering Committee members will meet online periodically, not less than once every quarter. The frequency of working group meetings will be determined by the Chair of the respective working groups.

Related content

Apply to be a member of the WHO civil society task force on antimicrobial resistance (AMR): Call for expressions of interest

WHO Civil Society Commission

Publication: Civil society engagement in the development of World Health Assembly resolutions and decisions: lessons and examples from the Seventy-seventh session