World Antimicrobial Awareness Week

 World Antimicrobial Awareness Week

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) aims to increase awareness of global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to encourage best practices among the general public, health workers and policy makers to avoid the further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.

Following a stakeholder's consultation meeting in May 2020 organized by the Tripartite Organizations (the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and WHO) the scope of WAAW was expanded, changing its focus from "antibiotics" to the more encompassing and inclusive term "antimicrobials".

Expanding the scope of the campaign to all antimicrobials will facilitate a more inclusive global response to antimicrobial resistance and support a multisectoral One Health Approach with increased stakeholder engagement.

The Tripartite Executive Committee has decided to fix WAAW dates to 18-24 November every year starting from 2020.

The slogan for 2020 will be "Antimicrobials: handle with care" applicable to all sectors.

The theme for the human health sector for WAAW 2020 is “United to preserve antimicrobials".