Jeddah announces launch of Biotechnology Bridge to combat antimicrobial resistance

The 4th Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), was held on November 15-16, culminating in the approval of the Jeddah Commitments, which mark a significant step forward in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance, a critical threat to public health, food security, and sustainable development. 

During the Jeddah Declaration, the Minister of Health, Fahd bin Abdulrahman Al-Jalajel, announced that the Jeddah Declaration commitments include the launch of a Biotechnology Bridge to support research, development and innovation in biotechnological solutions to combat antimicrobial resistance. 

 The Jeddah Declaration will push the global agenda for antimicrobial resistance forward through effective measures, and contribute to stimulating action and implementation for the coming years. The Jeddah Declaration adopts what was included in the International Declaration on Antimicrobial Resistance issued at the High-Level Meeting of the 79th General Assembly of the United Nations in September 2024. 

Al-Jalajel also announced the establishment of a One Health Learning Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance and a Regional Centre for Antibiotic Access and Logistics in Saudi Arabia, which aim to enhance global cooperation and improve access to essential antibiotics and diagnostics.

At the conclusion of the conference, His Excellency Minister Al-Jalajel welcomed Nigeria as host of the 5th Global Ministerial Conference, noting that this ‘coalition of the willing’ must continue to expand to include a larger community of organizations and individuals who are taking a firm stand and working hard against antimicrobial resistance, and work on a stronger mechanism, the Troika system, to drive action and implementation forward through 2025 and 2026 until the 5th Ministerial Meeting.

Singapore's Health Minister stated that "We need to start marshalling international resources to help upgrade healthcare systems around the globe. There are many existing mechanisms to leverage from an AMR perspective alone."