The Quadripartite establishes the Quadripartite Technical Group on Antimicrobial Resistance
What is Antimicrobial Resistance?
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat to animal and human health, food security, economic growth, and development. It is mostly driven by the inappropriate use of antimicrobials in human, animal, and plant health, food production, and environmental contamination.
Effective surveillance of AMR and antimicrobial use (AMU) within and across sectors is an integral part of efforts to monitor the spread and impact of AMR, and to mount an effective One Health response.
The Quadripartite Group
The Quadripartite Joint Secretariat on AMR (QJS), a joint effort by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), has established the Quadripartite Technical Group on Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Integrated Surveillance (QTG-AIS) to provide advice and guidance on the development of global and context-appropriate regional and country-level systems for integrated surveillance and the establishment of effective capacities.
The mandatory steps undertaken by the QTG-AIS:
Firstly, to provide advice to the Quadripartite on needs, scope and format on integrated surveillance. Further, how it should be updated to reflect emerging evidence and experience and advocate for covering identified gaps.
Secondly, to Review and refine current definition of integrated surveillance and agree on priority needs in different contexts.
Thirdly, to provide technical advice to the Quadripartite on issues emerging from regional- and country-level work on AMR/U integrated surveillance.
Next, to provide strategic advice and input to the Global Leaders Group (GLG) on AMR and AMU integrated surveillance.
Finally, to provide technical support/assistance via the Quadripartite to build country- and regional-level integrated AMR/U surveillance capabilities.
The QTG-AIS comprises 27 individual experts with AMR and AMU surveillance expertise in at least two sectors (Human Health, Terrestrial and Aquatic Animal Health, Plant Health, Food systems, and the Environment) or expertise in the analyses of data between sectors.
However, the QTG-AIS appointment will be effective for two years from 1 December 2022.
Implementation and working
The QTG-AIS will meet as needed to discuss and decide on the implementation of the 2022-2024 action plans. The Quadripartite Joint Secretariat on AMR (QJS) will provide secretariat and technical support for the QTG-AIS. The QTG-AIS will be accountable to the Senior Management of the QJS and provide advice to the Global Leaders Group on AMR as required.
