By Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The federal government has announced Nigeria’s plans to host the global conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) scheduled for next year.
Governments, development partners, private sector, academia, and civil society organisations will convene in Abuja to advance the global fight against AMR.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, announced the plans in Abuja on Tuesday, during the inauguration of the Ministerial Advisory Committee for the Planning of the AMR conference.
He said the baton to host the conference was passed on to Nigeria at the last AMR conference, which was held in Saudi Arabia for the last two years.
He said: “This marks the first time the conference will take place in Africa, a significant step for global AMR governance and multisectoral collaboration.
“Undoubtedly, AMR poses a major threat to global health, food security, and sustainable development, contributing to approximately 1.3 million deaths each year. Building on the 2024 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Meeting on AMR, the 2026 conference will turn political commitments into actionable strategies.
“Following conferences in the Netherlands, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, the Abuja conference will provide an opportunity for health ministers, policymakers, heads of UN agencies, researchers, private sector leaders, and civil society to assess progress, set priorities, and develop practical solutions to address AMR globally.”
The Minister maintained that Nigeria is committed to leading the fight against AMR through coordinated action. Hence, the conference will strengthen accountability, secure sustainable funding, and promote effective innovations.
He further disclosed that the conference will be co-led by Nigeria’s Ministries of Health and Social Welfare, Environment, and Livestock Development, thus reflecting a strong One Health approach that integrates human, animal, and environmental health.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, in his remarks, noted that AMR is a threat to food security and agricultural progress. Hence, he suggested cross-sector collaboration to address the global challenge.
Minister of Environment Balarabe Abbas Lawal said, “We must work together to create solutions that safeguard health and the environment for future generations.”
It was stated that the 2026 conference will deliver bold outcomes that will shape global AMR strategies ahead of the UNGA High-Level Meeting on AMR.
It will provide a platform for countries to share innovations, scale up best practices, and commit to achieving AMR-related 2030 targets.