°®¶¹´«Ã½

Dear Colleague:

°®¶¹´«Ã½ will be participating in a September 21 meeting of the °®¶¹´«Ã½ Nations General Assembly to discuss how countries can cooperate to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The ASM will urge the °®¶¹´«Ã½ Nations and all member states to join forces against the growing spread of antimicrobial resistance, which is threatening public health worldwide and must be addressed at the global level.

Infections that have acquired resistance against commonly used therapeutics have emerged as a global health security concern with serious economic, social and political implications. As professionals in microbiology, public health, and related fields, we understand the importance of the °®¶¹´«Ã½ Nations in mobilizing against AMR and its global impacts.

The UN, through its policies and programs, can help coordinate and support the global activities necessary to combat the expanding devastation of AMR infections, such as more judicious use of antibiotics and the accelerated development of new antimicrobial drugs and diagnostic tests.

We ask the °®¶¹´«Ã½ Nations to provide the global leadership and the international partnerships necessary against antimicrobial resistance.

We urge ASM members to join the petition being circulated by IDSA on Change.org calling for the °®¶¹´«Ã½ Nations to work together to combat antimicrobial resistance in preparation for the September 21 meeting to discuss the topic. Please share the petition with your networks. The petition is available.

Sincerely,

Susan Sharp, Ph.D., President, American Society for °®¶¹´«Ã½
Stefano Bertuzzi, Ph.D., M.P.H., CEO, American Society for °®¶¹´«Ã½
Ronald M. Atlas, Ph.D., Chair, ASM Public and Scientific Affairs Board