The Australian Government has released Australia’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy - 2020 and Beyond (the 2020 Strategy), which was endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments on 13 March 2020.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious threat that affects human and animal health, agriculture, the environment and food sectors. We can combat AMR only through the combined and coordinated efforts of all Australian governments, the private sector, industry, research community and the general public.
Building on Australia’s First National AMR Strategy 2015-2019, the 2020 Strategy sets a 20-year vision to protect the health of humans, animals and the environment through minimising the development and spread of AMR while continuing to have effective antimicrobials available. The 2020 Strategy continues to align with the World Health Organization’s Global Action Plan on AMR, which is internationally recognised as the blueprint for addressing the global challenges of AMR.
The 2020 Strategy focuses on achieving seven objectives:
- Clear governance for antimicrobial resistance initiatives
- Prevention and control of infections and the spread of resistance
- Greater engagement in the combat against resistance
- Appropriate usage and stewardship practices
- Integrated surveillance and response to resistance and usage
- A strong collaborative research agenda across all sectors
- Strengthen global collaboration and partnerships.
The 2020 Strategy will be supported by a One Health and sector-specific action plans that will describe what needs to be done to deliver the strategy’s objectives.
Australia’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy - 2020 and Beyond has been informed by public feedback and expert advice from the Australian Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on AMR (ASTAG). ASTAG comprises representatives from government and non-government organisations across human and animal health, agriculture, food and environment sectors.