Evaluation of antimicrobial resistance governance across 193 countries to inform the 2026 Global Action Plan update

A global analysis of 193 countries (2017–2022) assessed how effective national action plans (NAPs) are in tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Using a newly developed One Health governance index based on policy documents, expert input, and international datasets, researchers found that global AMR governance improved from 30.7 to 44.5 out of 100. However, progress has been uneven: while many countries have developed policies, implementation, monitoring, and engagement in the animal and environmental sectors remain limited. The study also showed that the impact of NAPs on AMR outcomes takes time, with measurable improvements appearing about five years after adoption. Countries that performed best were those with strong multisector collaboration and robust antimicrobial-use surveillance systems. The findings highlight that sustained funding and fully integrated One Health surveillance—especially involving agriculture and the environment—are essential to translate AMR policies into real reductions in resistance.