FIND unites with Saudi Arabia to tackle antimicrobial resistance

Building on the strong relationship between FIND and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, FIND is pleased to announce the convening of a high-level side event focused on closing the gaps in diagnostics to prevent antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The side event will take place on 14 November, one day before the 4th Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on AMR, which will take place on 15-16 November 2024. The discussion will focus on the progress and challenges in tackling disease and preventing AMR in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The Ministerial Conference is the first opportunity to ensure the delivery of the commitments made two weeks ago at the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on AMR, with a headline target to reduce human deaths from AMR by 10% by 2030.

The political declaration approved by all countries at the High-Level Meeting also recognises the importance of testing to address AMR. It features a commitment to ensure equitable and timely access to and a greater supply of diagnostics, especially in low—and middle-income countries.

Only 11% of Member States have allocated national budgets for implementing their AMR national action plans, so there is a real need for additional financing to deliver on the declaration’s commitments. The declaration sets a funding target of US0 million to catalyze the achievement of at least 60% of countries having achieved funded plans by 2030.

“Diagnostics are a critical element of the fight to tackle antimicrobial resistance and we are pleased to strengthen and deepen our cooperation with FIND,” said Rakan Khalid Bin Dohaish, Ministry of Health’s Assistant Deputy Minister of International Collaboration. “The Ministerial Conference on AMR allows starting driving action at the country and regional levels, and I’m looking forward to leaders from government, the private sector, and international agencies joining us in Jeddah to lay out a practical path forward.

FIND is committed to a world where everyone, everywhere has access to diagnostics to live healthier lives and looks forward to partnering with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to help meet its vision of combating AMR through access to quality diagnostics facilitated through developing a logistics and access hub.

“Building on engagements with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the G20, meetings in Abuja,Nigeria earlier this year and this year’s World Health Assembly, FIND is proud to lead this special session on diagnostics at the Saudi ministerial meeting, the first milestone after the UN High-Level Meeting,” said Dr Ayoade Alakija, FIND’s Board Chair. “This collaboration will galvanise efforts to boost diagnostic testing, which is key to preventing the pandemic of drug resistance.”

Diagnostics are a cornerstone in the global response to AMR and are essential for preserving the effectiveness of treatments and safeguarding global health. The return on investment from investing in diagnostics is clear. By enabling the accurate identification of infections, diagnostics ensure the appropriate use of antimicrobials and help prevent their misuse, a leading factor in the rise of resistance.

Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, FIND’s CEO said, “FIND looks forward to collaborating closely with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to make diagnostics a central pillar to the response to antimicrobial resistance. If we don’t step up action, using all the tools at our disposal, bacterial antimicrobial resistance will cause 39 million deaths between 2025 and 2050 - as projected by new Lancet data if there is insufficient action.”

About FIND

FIND accelerates equitable access to reliable diagnosis around the world. We are working to close critical testing gaps that leave people at risk from preventable and treatable illnesses, enable effective disease surveillance, and build sustainable, resilient health systems. In partnership with countries, WHO and other global health agencies, we are driving progress towards global health security and universal health coverage. We are a WHO Collaborating Centre for Laboratory Strengthening and Diagnostic Technology Evaluation. For more information, please visit www.finddx.org.