The meeting comes amidst a declaration signed by all 193 member states, agreeing to come together to fight antibiotic resistance. The UN's actions have pushed this issue into the same category as climate change with member states targeting a problem which is costing hundreds of thousands of lives - with no solution in sight.
The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, has announced that the threat of antimicrobial resistance is putting sustainable development goals at risk, and members acknowledge that although superbugs may seem like a small thing, they are a global threat which needs a global response. The UN has called on governments, pharmaceutical companies, health professionals and the agricultural industry to come together to fight this new microscopic war which could render previously treatable diseases fatal.
The UK has already looked to take the lead on this issue, with a report in May this year and proposed solutions by Lord Jim O'Neill. We have produced an article outlining more information regarding the report.