In a concerted effort to address the global menace of foodborne diseases, the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Nutrition and Food Safety Department, in collaboration with the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States of America, is hosting an inaugural meeting for the WHO Alliance for Food Safety. The meeting, held from May 6 to May 8, 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland, aims to rally international support for enhanced surveillance and mitigation strategies against foodborne illnesses.

The initiative stems from the WHO Global Strategy for Food Safety 2022–2030, which sets ambitious targets to combat foodborne diseases and contamination. Adopted by Member States at the 75th Session of the World Health Assembly, the strategy underscores the urgent need for coordinated global action to monitor and address food safety threats.

Currently, a lack of a cohesive global mechanism impedes efforts to tackle foodborne diseases comprehensively. The inception meeting for the WHO Alliance for Food Safety seeks to bridge this gap by fostering collaboration among WHO collaborating centres, UN organisations, and other stakeholders.

Meanwhile, in a separate development, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) recently convened an international symposium in Rongchang, Chongqing, to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the context of sustainable livestock transformation. Participants at the symposium emphasised the interconnectedness of AMR with food security, nutrition, and environmental sustainability.

Researchers in antimicrobial resistance, highlighting the need for integrated strategies to curb AMR, stated, "AMR poses a multifaceted threat to global health and development. Sustainable livestock practices, coupled with prudent antimicrobial use, are essential for preserving food safety and mitigating the spread of resistant pathogens."

The symposium culminated in the launch of the "Reduce the Need for Antimicrobials on Farms for Sustainable Systems Transformation" (RENOFARM) initiative during which, FAO officials underscored the initiative's importance in promoting responsible antimicrobial use and fostering sustainable agricultural practices.

"Through RENOFARM, we aim to empower farmers with the knowledge and resources to reduce reliance on antimicrobials while enhancing the resilience and productivity of agrifood systems," they stated.

As global stakeholders converge to address the dual challenges of foodborne diseases and antimicrobial resistance, concerted efforts and collaborative partnerships are essential to safeguarding public health, ensuring food security, and promoting sustainable development on a global scale.