Muscat – Oman will be hosting the third global high-level ministerial conference on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to be held in Muscat on November 24 and 25.

The conference, which aims to accelerate the pace of dealing with AMR at the national, regional and global levels and enhance international cooperation, comes as a follow-up to the success of the two previous ministerial conferences held in the Netherlands in 2014 and 2019.

“The conference programme includes a number of working papers and interactive sessions among the participants, with examples of best practices drawn from different countries of the world,” said Dr Saif al Abri, director general of the directorate general of disease control and surveillance at MoH.

“This conference is an opportunity to stimulate dialogue on the importance of the ‘One Health’ approach to addressing the epidemic of AMR. Hence the slogan for the conference was chosen to be ‘Antimicrobial resistance pandemic: From policy to single health measures’,” he added.

Dr Abri confirmed the participation of the ministers of health, agriculture, animal health and the environment and representatives from the organisations of the quartet – the World Health Organization, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the United Nations Environment Program, and the World Organization for Animal Health.

“This is in addition to policy makers, as well as a select group of global experts and representatives from the private sector, civil society, scientific research institutions and relevant global organisations, which are sending their representatives to this global conference.”

The meet in Oman is considered a shift as it is being hosted for the first time outside the European continent. Exchange of experiences during the previous two conferences and the measures taken in the European countries greatly helped reduce the spread of AMR and its negative impact on health and the economy.

Holding of this conference in the sultanate is expected to benefit the region in a similar way.

H E Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health, pointed out that the organisation of this global conference holds high significance due to the impact of AMR on both human and animal health, besides on the environment in general.

“For proper control of AMR, use of antibiotics is important,” he said.

“Though AMR is still under control, yet we have to be very cautious that it doesn’t progress very fast. So to have a balance, we have to be an advocate for the control of AMR that is developing against antibiotics available in the market.”

Dr Sabti said that there is a need to be meticulous in the sense that “we do not reach a stage where we cannot treat the bacteria in people on the streets or in hospitals. I see it as a concern, no doubt about it”.
“We have to be very cautious in handling it and the earlier we take care of it, the better it is,” he added.

“The idea of monitoring AMR is very important, and Dr Saif did talk about it,” H E Dr Sabti stressed. “Awareness is not only needed in the health sector, but from a global perspective of handling antibiotics, awareness is needed even among the patients and their caregivers.”

H E Dr Saud bin Hamoud al Habsi, Minister of Agricultural, Fisheries and Water Resources, said that his ministry is currently working to attract investments in the pharmaceutical industries in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and to promote investment.

“We hope to attract global investments in this aspect,” the minister said.

H E Dr Abdullah bin Nasser al Harassi, Minister of Information, stressed the importance of Oman hosting this conference, which reflects its leading role in spreading knowledge and enhancing its global position as a station for various international events and conferences.