In Siem Reap, stakeholders from around the world have come together for a five-day event to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) within the agrifood sector. Hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, this gathering aims to learn from international experiences to develop proactive work plans and promote sustainable practices.

The event, which began on November 4, is part of two significant FAO projects: the ‘Action to Support Implementation of Codex AMR Texts (ACT)’ funded by the Republic of Korea, and the FAO Fleming Fund 3 (FF3) initiative funded by the United Kingdom. The projects aim to combat AMR by raising awareness, expanding surveillance, and encouraging best practices in agriculture. Cambodia, a participating nation, has been recognized for its efforts in improving animal production and veterinary drug handling to address AMR challenges.

Representatives from several Asian and Latin American countries, including Bangladesh, Bolivia, and the Philippines, are in attendance. Speaking via video, FAO’s Assistant Director-General Dr. Thanawat Tiensin described AMR as a “silent pandemic” and highlighted the importance of immediate action through initiatives such as RENOFARM, which promotes antimicrobial-free farming. Dr. Chi-Yeun Cheung from Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and Codex Secretary Sarah Cahill also underscored the value of these efforts in addressing global health challenges and strengthening governance and surveillance across the agrifood system.

---