Jakob Forssmed appointed Vice-Chair of the Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance
Published
Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed has been appointed Vice-Chair of the Global Leaders Group (GLG) on Antimicrobial Resistance, a UN body made up of politicians and experts.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to continue working with the GLG, now in the role of Vice-Chair. Global leadership on this issue is needed more than ever – it is now time to begin the work to achieve the goals that world leaders agreed on at last autumn’s high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance, but also to push ahead with other issues where agreement was not possible,” says Minister of Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed.
The GLG includes world leaders and experts from across sectors working together to accelerate political action on antimicrobial resistance. The GLG was established in 2020 under the United Nations and meets quarterly. The Group is also supported by four UN organisations: the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, the United Nations Environment Programme, the World Health Organization and the World Organisation for Animal Health.
Jakob Forssmed has been a GLG member since February 2023.
Antimicrobial resistance
In brief, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) means that infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi) develop resistance to treatment. In particular, bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics are a growing threat to health and food production worldwide. Just like other bacteria, resistant bacteria can be transmitted between people, animals and food, and can spread in our environment. This means that a number of areas, including human and animal health, the environment, research, education, trade and international development cooperation need to be involved to combat AMR using a cross-sectoral, One Health approach. Resistance to antimicrobials in general, including antibiotics, is a global problem.
Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed is the government minister with responsibility for AMR issues.
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