Nigeria will host an international ministerial conference on antimicrobial resistance in December, with discussions expected to focus on turning existing global commitments into concrete measures to curb drug-resistant infections.
The Fifth Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance will take place in Abuja from December 6 to 8, 2026, marking the first time the gathering has been held in Africa.
The meeting comes amid warnings about the scale of deaths linked to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Bacterial AMR directly caused an estimated 1.27 million deaths worldwide in 2019, including about 64,500 in Nigeria. Without urgent intervention, deaths directly attributable to AMR could exceed 39 million globally between 2025 and 2050.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Iziaq Adekunle Salako announced Nigeria’s hosting role at a One Health ministers’ briefing in Abuja, speaking on behalf of Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Muhammad Ali Pate and other ministers.
Under the theme, “One Health: Advancing Global AMR Commitments through Local Action,” the conference will bring together international leaders and stakeholders to assess progress, strengthen cooperation and develop practical responses spanning human health, animal health, agriculture and the environment.
A key item on the agenda is the proposed Abuja Compact on Antimicrobial Resistance, which is being developed through consultations with member states and stakeholders.
Salako said the Compact is intended to move existing international commitments, including the United Nations General Assembly’s political declaration on AMR, towards measurable action.
Nigeria said it was committed to delivering the conference and advancing coordinated efforts against antimicrobial resistance through the One Health approach.
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