As we approach European Antibiotic Awareness Day on 18 November, we must continue to draw attention to the urgent threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This year's theme of "Antimicrobial resistance is invisible; I am not" is very timely, as it emphasises the urgency to step up our actions to address the profound human cost of AMR on patients, families, and healthcare systems across Europe.
AMR is one of the biggest health threats of our times, with an unacceptably high human cost: it is responsible for roughly 35,000 deaths every year in the EU/EEA, and without urgent action, could cause almost 40 million deaths worldwide by 2050. AMR's economic cost for the world is equally daunting, as it could result in losses of €1.6 trillion in global annual GDP by 2050, unless we step up our response.
The EU is taking decisive steps to address AMR. Last year, we set clear targets to help Member States to reduce AMR by 2030, and our EU4Health programme financially supports them in implementing critical policies to combat this threat. We have increased our support for research to counteract AMR, and we have proposed incentives to encourage the development of much-needed new antibiotics in our pharmaceutical reform.
On the international stage, we are leading efforts for a UN commitment to reduce global AMR-related deaths by 10% by 2030. It is essential that we build on the political will and momentum we witnessed in New York at the UN General Assembly this past September. Only through global cooperation and commitment can we truly make a difference for citizens around the world, and the EU is committed to playing its full part.
These decisive actions are at the heart of the EU's One Health policy, which sets stringent limits on antibiotics in our agriculture and food chain, supports innovation in veterinary medicine, and supports new ways of monitoring antibiotic residues in our environment.
The fight against AMR is not only a matter of policy and investments, crucial as they are. Each one of us also has a role to play in fighting AMR. This includes the responsible use – for ourselves and our children - of antibiotics as well as basic hygiene and infection prevention measures. Together, by raising awareness and making informed choices, each and every one of us can help reduce the rise and impact of AMR.
Let us continue to work together across sectors and countries, to preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics for future generations while protecting the health of citizens worldwide.
