International High-level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance in Stockholm, Sweden

Government representatives from around thirty countries are gathering for a high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance in Stockholm, Sweden on 2-3 December. The meeting is hosted by the Public Health Agency of Sweden and the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs of Sweden with the World Health Organization (WHO) as co-sponsor.

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the largest global threats against people’s health. The problem exists in all regions of the world and it may afflict anyone. There is a risk that common infections, that previously have been curable with antibiotics, may become lethal again if no measures are taken.

WHO’s Global Action Plan

The meeting in Stockholm forms a part of the development of the global action plan against antibiotic resistance that WHO will present in 2015. The theme for the meeting is surveillance and information systems that are necessary in order to be able to trace effects and achievements. The purpose of the meeting is to increase commitment among member countries, encourage countries to support standardized surveillance systems and support the global action plan.

“The increase in antimicrobial resistance is a very serious problem. Without functioning antibiotics, mankind is at risk of standing without a cure for many infections that we previously believed to be under control. I am therefore pleased that Sweden is able to play an active part in the international collaboration to cope with the problem, for example by hosting this important meeting,” says Swedish Minister of Health Care, Public Health and Sport, Gabriel Wikström.

The whole world will be there

Representatives from around thirty countries from all the regions of WHO will be present in Stockholm. Among others, the Swedish Minister of Health Care, Public Health and Sport Gabriel Wikström will attend, along with the Public Health Agency of Sweden’s Director-General Johan Carlson as well as WHO’s Assistant Director-General for Health Security Dr Keiji Fukuda.

“The aim of this conference is to strengthen the global surveillance, which is fundamental in the combat against antimicrobial resistance,“ says Director-General Johan Carlson at the Public Health Agency of Sweden.

Invitation to press meeting

A press meeting will be hosted on Tuesday 2 December at 10.15 a.m. at Sheraton Hotel in Stockholm. The press meeting will be broadcast live at www.folkhalsomyndigheten.se

To register: christer.janson@folkhalsomyndigheten.se

Contact: Christer Janson, Head of Media Relations, +4670-712 96 54.

For more information regarding the summit, please visit: http://www.folkhalsomyndigheten.se/amr-stockholm-2014/