ECSA Health Ministers Affirm Regional AMR Commitments and a Clear "Pathway to Abuja" Following the 76th Health Ministers Conference in Eswatini

Ezulwini, Eswatini — 05 February, 2026. Health Ministers from the East, Central and Southern Africa (ECSA) region have concluded the 76th Health Ministers Conference with a strengthened, regionally aligned set of commitments to accelerate action on antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The Conference provided a platform for ministers to reaffirm their commitment to the global AMR agenda, with a particular focus on translating international declarations into actionable regional and national strategies.

Ministers endorsed a clear "Pathway to Abuja" framework that outlines concrete steps for member states to strengthen AMR surveillance, stewardship, and infection prevention and control across human, animal, and environmental health sectors.

The regional commitments include establishing national AMR coordination mechanisms, strengthening laboratory networks for AMR surveillance, integrating AMR into national health security agendas, and mobilising domestic resources for AMR response.