Evaluation of FAO’s role and work on antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the ability of microorganisms to fight antimicrobial compounds, reducing the efficacy of treating diseases in humans, animals, and plants. AMR risk is outpacing human population growth, owing to misuse of antimicrobials in large quantities in food systems, and is a serious threat to food security and sustainable development.  

FAO, with the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), is supporting countries in developing and implementing their One Health National Action Plans on AMR. The eventual aim is to ensure sustainable use of antimicrobials to minimize AMR risks, in alignment with the Global Action Plan on AMR. 

The scope of the evaluation covers FAO’s entire work on AMR up to early 2020 and its role in the global AMR architecture. It examines FAO’s organizational and institutional set-up for AMR work. A key message of the evaluation is that, although the organization has a strong mandate to work on AMR and is well positioned to deliver, FAO needs to develop its own long-term strategy to guide its work on AMR, reflecting a programmatic approach. A strengthened multi-disciplinary approach supported by a strong coordination and management structure with dedicated core funding, links with the regional offices and scientific partnerships are needed to enhance its work on AMR.