"Sustainable Development of Food Safety Beyond Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)" was the central theme of discussions at the 5th Global Conference on Foodborne Antimicrobial Resistance (GCFA), held on 16–17 September in Seoul. The GCFA is the only international event dedicated exclusively to this topic and is hosted by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of the Republic of Korea, which also supports the FAO-implemented, Action to Support Implementation of Codex AMR Texts (ACT) project. Opening the conference, Minister Oh Yu-kyoung welcomed [...]

19 September 2025

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia A risk communication workshop under the Republic of Korea-funded "One Health for Food Safety" (1H4FS) project was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia 4–6 July. The workshop brought together representatives from the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Mongolia, the United Republic of Tanzania and Viet Nam, to strengthen national capacities in risk analysis for food safety. A total of 40 participants from 15 different agencies took part in the event. The workshop was officially opened by T. Jambaltseren, State Secretary of the Ministry [...]

11 July 2025

In Nepal, a recent study with a mixed approach of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) and behavioural science among the poultry farmers on antimicrobial use has helped researchers gather data that will help them understand not only where there are gaps in knowledge around antimicrobial resistance (AMR), but also the influences on relevant behaviours that will help authorities support farmers and veterinarians to work towards good practices. The study was carried out under the Action to support implementation of Codex AMR [...]

06 May 2025

A consultation meeting, held on 12 March, has heard a report on the progress of the FAO-implemented Action to support implementation of Codex AMR texts (ACT) project over the last year. In the meeting, the ACT project team detailed to representatives from the project donor, the Republic of Korea, the activities and achievements that took place in 2024. The project aims at improving monitoring and surveillance, governance and awareness of foodborne AMR and is being implemented in Bolivia (Plurinational State [...]

13 March 2025

A recent surveillance study of foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Cambodia has revealed an urgent need for stricter regulations on antimicrobial use in the country’s livestock sector. Carried out under the FAO-implemented and Republic of Korea-funded Action to support implementation of Codex AMR texts (ACT) project, the study also underscores the importance of routine AMR monitoring, and the adoption of targeted interventions, such as improved biosecurity measures and vaccination programmes, to reduce the need of antibiotics and mitigate the spread [...]

18 February 2025

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) is taking place this week, 18–24 November, in order to raise awareness globally not only about the threats posed by the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), but of the ways in which we can collectively tackle the problem. AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial agents, such as antibiotics. As a result, antimicrobial drugs become ineffective and infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, [...]

02 December 2024

María de los Angeles Gatica is the regional coordinator for the Action to support implementation of Codex AMR texts (ACT) project, which helps countries contain foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR). She is one of the youngest project leaders across FAO. We spoke to her about her role and about what has motivated her to help the ACT project to its impressive successes so far. Can you tell us about your personal background? I grew up in a rural community on the outskirts of [...]

21 November 2024

The FAO-implemented and Republic of Korea-funded Action to support implementation of Codex AMR texts (ACT) project is being carried out in six countries, of which one is the Plurinational State of Bolivia. Here, the Project has made great progress in helping the national authorities improve governance of the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and has supported training to improve surveillance and monitoring of foodborne AMR. Carolina Tejerina is a protagonist in these activities, and we spoke with her to find out [...]

19 November 2024

The Joint ACT/FF3 meeting took place in Siem Reap, Cambodia, from November 4–8. The "Action to Support Implementation of Codex AMR Texts (ACT)" project, funded by the Republic of Korea, and the FAO Fleming Fund 3 (FF3) global initiative, funded by the United Kingdom’s Fleming Fund, came together for their first joint meeting to share experiences and challenges, foster mutual learning, and plan collaboratively for the year ahead. Cambodia was highlighted as a model country due to its active involvement in [...]

07 November 2024

Three videos have been produced that describe the FAO-implemented and Republic of Korea-funded Action to support implementation of Codex AMR texts (ACT) project and demonstrate some of the successes of the project in the Plurinational State of Bolivia. The first video provides an overview of the Project, describing the four key areas in which improvement will help drive the fight against foodborne antimicrobial resistance. Those four project components promote improved awareness, monitoring and surveillance, governance, and good practices. In the video, [...]

22 October 2024