The World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness Authority (HERA) have signed a €3.5 million (Sh574 million) agreement to boost their joint fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) under the EU4Health programme.
The funding will help WHO accelerate research and development of new antibiotics, antifungals, and innovative therapies such as bacteriophages—viruses that target and kill harmful bacteria—while expanding the SECURE initiative to improve global access to these life-saving treatments.
“Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most urgent threats to global health and security,” said Dr. Yvan Hutin, WHO Director for AMR. “We welcome this renewed partnership with the European Commission to accelerate efforts to fight AMR and ensure equitable access to essential antimicrobials and diagnostics for people everywhere.”
AMR is a growing global concern, and WHO and HERA first launched their partnership in 2022 to support the development of new medical countermeasures and ensure their fair distribution. Since then, the collaboration has focused on advancing antibiotics that can tackle the most dangerous drug-resistant pathogens.
With HERA’s support, WHO has published an updated Bacterial Priority Pathogens List (BPPL) and introduced the first Fungal Priority Pathogens List (FPPL) through expert consultations and regional workshops.
WHO has also completed multiple research and development pipeline assessments covering antibacterials, antifungals, and diagnostics for bacterial and fungal infections.
Efforts have included optimizing antibiotics for children and strengthening the SECURE initiative through global technical consultations and the creation of Country Operational Guidance to help governments introduce new antibiotics and address shortages.
“These efforts have raised global awareness of AMR, guided research priorities, and laid the groundwork for better access to life-saving treatments in low- and middle-income countries,” the agency said.
By combining research, innovation, and equitable distribution, WHO aims to ensure that effective treatments reach those who need them most.
The renewed partnership under EU4Health underscores the importance of international cooperation in tackling antimicrobial resistance.
With this €3.5 million investment, WHO is well-positioned to scale up its initiatives and make significant progress in both developing and delivering critical medicines worldwide, protecting global health against a growing and urgent threat.
A 2025 WHO report revealed that in 2023, one in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections worldwide were resistant to standard antibiotic treatments, with resistance rates for many pathogen-antibiotic combinations rising between 2018 and 2023.
Gram-negative bacteria, including E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, pose significant threats, particularly in bloodstream infections, with over 40% of E. coli and 55% of K. pneumoniae resistant to third-generation cephalosporins, and even higher rates in some African regions.
Alarmingly, resistance to “last-resort” antibiotics like carbapenems is also increasing, jeopardizing the safety of critical medical procedures such as surgery and chemotherapy.
According to WHO report bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was linked to nearly five million deaths in 2019, and if left unchecked, projections suggest it could cause up to 10 million deaths annually by 2050, alongside substantial losses to global GDP.
