Representatives from the Government of Japan,
Delegates and Distinguished Participants
Partners and colleagues from FAO, UNEP, WOAH, and WHO
Ladies and gentlemen,
As we conclude the 8th Tokyo AMR One Health Conference 2026, my thanks to each of you for your active engagement and the valuable insights you have shared.
My thanks, also, to the Government of Japan for its ongoing leadership and for convening this important regional platform every year.
Over the past two days, we have heard inspiring examples of innovation and commitment, from enhanced surveillance systems to successful stewardship initiatives.
ASPIRE—the Asia-Pacific One Health Initiative on AMR- has demonstrated the power of Asia-Pacific collaboration, bringing together 30 countries to endorse a joint Asia-Pacific position paper on AMR and establishing the annual Tokyo AMR One Health Conference as a sustained platform for coordination.
Through its four working groups, ASPIRE has translated dialogue into concrete action. One notable example is capacity-building support for AMR outbreak response in hospitals with technical contributions from a WHO Collaborating Centre in Japan, which was highlighted by Technical Working Group 2 during the conference. These results clearly show that collective commitment and partnership are essential to accelerating progress on AMR.
Another key milestone announced is the consolidation of progress data from 28 Asia-Pacific countries presented at the 7th Tokyo AMR One Health Conference in 2025 into the first regional scientific manuscript, now submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. This underscores the Conference’s role in driving measurable action and evidence-based progress on AMR.
Additionally, WHO has highlighted the results from two important reports on prevalence of AMR and antimicrobial use and is updating the global action plan on AMR, FAO has strengthened RRNOFARM to reduce the need for antimicrobials and more sustainable agrifoods and WOAH has introduced ANIMUSE to monitor antimicrobial use in animals.
In SEARO, WHO has coordinated Member States endorsement of the Regional Roadmap on AMR and adoption or regional resolution for acceleration action on AMR in the human health sector.
It is now incumbent upon all of us to make sure that these commitments are carried out in national policies, budgets, and our work on-the-ground.
In WHO SEARO, we will continue its support to countries to strengthen national AMR surveillance systems, integrate AMR interventions into primary health care and broader health system strategies, and scaling up infection prevention and control initiatives. and ensure equitable access, appropriate use and disposal of antimicrobials and health products across sectors.
WHO will also work closely with countries to promote equitable access to essential health products and antimicrobials, ensure their appropriate use and disposal, and advocate for the inclusion of AMR priorities in national policies and budgets. By maintaining ongoing dialogue and sharing best practices across the region, WHO aims to empower SEAR countries to achieve sustainable and measurable progress in combating antimicrobial resistance.
I trust we will carry forward this collaboration and cooperation to ensure the actions discussed result in tangible progress in our countries and communities.
Together, we have the power to change the trajectory of AMR and safeguard the health of future generations.
My thanks again to the Government of Japan, and to all our participants—for your leadership, partnership, and dedication.