The theme for World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2020 for the human health sector is “United to preserve antimicrobials.”

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

WAAW has expanded its scope to address not just antibiotics, but all antimicrobials, including antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic medicines. This exciting decision came on the strong recommendation of the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) community. In the midst of a global pandemic, stakeholders came together virtually to discuss the challenges and opportunities for the WAAW campaign and awareness of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) more generally. The overarching message was that all sectors needed to unite to change behaviours and that the campaign needed to broaden its scope from antibiotics, to include all antimicrobials.

For the first time ever, we are also celebrating WAAW at a time when traditional methods of campaigning are not possible. We are challenged by new rules of social distancing, limitations on public gatherings, and physical isolation. As with the global virtual consultation in May 2020, however, the AMR community has shown its commitment, resilience and eagerness to celebrate, unite, and build awareness around an issue that is becoming one of the most significant challenges to our global health and development objectives. Over the 7 days of WAAW 2020, events will be held virtually in all regions of the world, by governments, academics, students, health care workers, NGOs and all those interested and passionate about combating AMR.

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