ACT/ ACT project contributes to capacity building on AMR

The FAO project “Action to support implementation of Codex AMR Texts (ACT)” contributed to the 6th edition of the AMR international course “A One Health Challenge”, held 10-14 November, 2025 in Veyrier-du-Lac, France. The course was jointly organized by the Mérieux Foundation and Université de Paris and supports the implementation of the Global Action Plan (GAP) on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) by translating its five strategic objectives into practical, action-oriented approaches.

Designed as an intensive residential training program, the course brought together forty participants from around the world including three experts from the ACT project, covering global, regional and country officers. With particular focus on professionals from low- and middle-income countries, the course promoted a One Health approach to addressing AMR across the human, animal, and environmental sectors. Through interactive learning, peer exchange, and multidisciplinary collaboration, it strengthened participants’ capacities for critical decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and policy implementation.

Jorge Pinto Ferreira, Food Safety officer from FAO HQ presented “AMR interventions at the food production level from human and animals’ agriculture”, highlighting key outputs of the ACT project and its role in supporting countries in the implementation of Codex Alimentarius texts and standards related to AMR.

A dedicated interactive group exercise was conducted to translate Codex AMR standards into practical implementation. Participants were divided into five stakeholder groups—farmers, policymakers, veterinary services, consumers, and youth—and engaged in a role-play simulation of a multi-stakeholder dialogue. Each group developed persuasive arguments on the value of Codex standards and outlined concrete steps for their adoption and implementation at national level.

"The exercise was very well received, and the participants were extremely engaged. They really learned about Codex texts/standards, with which most of them were not familiar with.” said Jorge Pinto Ferreira who facilitated the discussion.

Reflecting on the experience, Maria Gatica, from the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, and Riasat WaseeUllah from the FAO country office for Pakistan noted: “The course provided a valuable opportunity to learn from and exchange experiences with colleagues from around the world, and to highlight how Codex standards support countries in addressing foodborne AMR—an objective at the core of the ACT project.”

Participation in this course underscored the ACT project’s continued commitment to capacity development, knowledge exchange, and the practical implementation of Codex standards as a key contribution to global efforts to contain AMR through a One Health approach.

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6th Antimicrobial Resistance Course (AMR): a One Health challenge - Mérieux Foundation