Statement by His Excellency Moosa Zameer, Minister of Foreign Affairs at the UNGA79 High-Level Meeting on Anti-Microbial Resistance
بســم اللّـه الرّحمـن الرّحيــم
Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen.
Today we are faced with a threat that knows no borders, respects no sovereignty, and if left unchecked, will rewrite the course of human history.
In our collective pursuit of progress, we have made remarkable strides in medicine. Antibiotics and other microbial agents have transformed once-fatal infections into treatable conditions, saving millions of lives.
Yet, these triumphs of modern medicine have led to unintended and perilous consequences. The overuse and misuse of these drugs, both in human healthcare and agriculture, have accelerated the emergence of resistant pathogens—superbugs that defy our most potent defenses.
As we gather here today, this invisible foe is already exacting a toll. According to recent estimates, approximately 1.2 million deaths are directly attributed to drug-resistant infections globally. A number expected to rise to a staggering 10 million deaths by 2050 if decisive action is not taken.
In tandem with this steep human cost, the economic burden of anti-microbial resistance will undoubtedly be debilitating. If left unchecked, this scourge could erode trillions from our GDPs and push millions into extreme poverty in the next decade. SIDS in particular, will be acutely affected, as we face unique challenges in the form of limited healthcare infrastructure, a higher dependency on imports for medical supplies. All constraints that can exacerbate the effects of AMR.
Behind statistics always lie personal and collective tragedies. Lives cut short, families torn apart, and ultimately communities destabilized.
It is clear. Decisive action is required to address this grave threat.
The Maldives was among the first nations to join the global fight against antimicrobial resistance in 2015. We crafted a National Action Plan that embraces a One Health approach—an approach that understands that the health of people, animals, and the environment is inextricably linked. We have put in place policies, programs, and frameworks to steward the use of antimicrobials, to prevent infections, and to safeguard our future.
Yet much remains to be done. We face challenges—financial constraints, gaps in regulation, and an underdeveloped surveillance system. But we are not deterred. We are building a more robust foundation. We are developing a comprehensive AMR surveillance framework. And we are forging new paths to strengthen our efforts—uniting experts, mobilizing resources, and committing our nation to this vital cause.
However, this is not a battle any one nation can fight alone. As I stand before you today, I call upon each of you, as members of our global family, to recognize our shared responsibility. We share the same planet, breathe the same air and face the same threats. The Maldives is determined to turn the challenges we face into opportunities to strengthen our resilience. And in so doing, we are ready to deepen our international partnerships to win this critical battle. The hour is late, but it is not too late. We are taking decisive action, and we invite each member of our global family to join us, not just in words, but in concrete initiatives that will secure our future.
Let us rise to the challenge, not out of fear, but out of hope—hope that we can turn the tide against antimicrobial resistance. Let history say that we were the generation that stood firm, that faced the darkness, and brought forth the dawn. In our unity lies our strength, and in our determination, the promise of success.
I thank you.
