EU-JAMRAI 2 launch in Paris unveils next chapter in Europe's unified response to antimicrobial resistance

The European Commission, policymakers, and organizations from 30 countries are convening in Paris on the 13^th of February 2024 to launch the second Joint Action on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare-Associated Infections (EU-JAMRAI 2). Coordinated by Inserm (National Institute of Health and Medical Research), France, with the support of the French Ministry of Health, this collaborative venture aims to more effectively combat antimicrobial resistance: a major public health threat responsible for more than 35,000 deaths each year in the European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) and 1.3 million people worldwide.

Building upon the success of EU-JAMRAI 1, which ran from 2017 to 2021, this latest project champions an ambitious “One Health” work programme that brings together the EU Member States, along with Iceland, Norway, and Ukraine.

Didier Samuel, CEO of Inserm said: “The long-term implementation of a coordinated "One Health" approach remains a priority for the years to come, it is also a priority for the future. […] No State can act alone against antimicrobial resistance […]. Cooperation is no longer an option: it is the condition for success in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance.”

EU-JAMRAI 2 seeks to implement concrete actions to monitor, prevent, and effectively tackle antimicrobial resistance across human, animal, and environmental health domains, empowering participating countries to strengthen their national action plans. The mission is to reduce the risk of European citizens’ exposure to antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. This involves promoting integrated surveillance and strengthening infection prevention through the “One Health” approach, while improving the care of patients with bacterial infections, guaranteeing access to effective and proportionate antibiotic therapy, for instance.

EU-JAMRAI 2 is co-funded by the involved partners and the EU4Health Program, with a total budget of €62.5 million including €50 million from the European Commission. This level of funding underscores the priority given to combatting antimicrobial resistance by the European Union.

Roser Domenech Amado, Director for “One Health” in the European Commission Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety said: “AMR is the grand pandemic of our times. It requires urgent action now, in Europe and across the world. In 2023, the EU agreed on recommended targets for antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial consumption and measures including infection prevention and control, surveillance and monitoring, fostering innovation and access, prudent use of antimicrobials, and increased awareness-raising. The European Commission’s EUR 50 million in JAMRAI 2 - our biggest ever in tackling AMR - will help EU countries make a difference on the ground.”

Over 120 partners from 30 countries, supported by approximately 40 stakeholders, will actively participate in this Joint Action. European organizations such as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the European Food Safety Authority, and international organizations such as WHO, WOAH, OECD, UNEP, and FAO will enrich the debate with their expertise and ensure the coherence of the joint action with existing initiatives. Additionally, human and animal health professionals, as well as patient representatives, are integral components of this Joint Action.

The Chief Epidemiologist leads Iceland's participation in JAMRAI 2, while the Ministry of Health, the Food Authority, and the Environment Agency are also involved in the project, in the spirit of One Health. Special emphasis will be placed on coordinating the project with Iceland's forthcoming National Plan to Combat Antibiotic Resistance in order to ensure the best results in Iceland.

• More information on the EU-JAMRAI 2 kick-off meeting

The Chief Epidemiologist