India has taken a central role in the global effort to address Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) with the adoption of the London Resolution on AMR 2025. The resolution was officially announced at the Annual Convention of the Commonwealth Medical Association (CMA), held in London on 18 July. Supported by 56 national medical associations across the Commonwealth, the resolution represents a collaborative international initiative to tackle antibiotic misuse and microbial resistance.
The resolution was jointly released by Prof (Dr) J. A. Jayalal, President of the Commonwealth Medical Association, and UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Migration and Citizenship, MP Seema Malhotra. Dr. Jayalal described the resolution as a “rallying cry”, stating, “AMR is no longer just a medical issue—it is a social justice issue that disproportionately affects vulnerable populations and threatens to reverse decades of medical progress. This declaration binds us in solidarity across Commonwealth nations to protect future generations.”
India played a significant role in shaping the resolution through the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and its AMR Committee. The IMA’s AMR SMART Hospital Model, which integrates infection control, medical education, and antimicrobial stewardship practices into hospital operations, was presented as a model for replication across Commonwealth nations.
Dr. Venkatesh Karthikeyan, National Convenor – AMR, Indian Medical Association, noted, “This is not just a declaration—it’s a blueprint. From designating AMR hubs in every medical association to mobilising CSR funds and institutionalising AMR education, we are embedding stewardship into the DNA of healthcare. We must act now, and we must act together.”
The London Resolution outlines 14 key commitments for member associations to adopt. These include appointing AMR focal points in each country, establishing AMR committees, introducing mandatory AMR education in undergraduate and postgraduate training, and hosting annual AMR sessions at national medical conferences. A central aspect of the resolution is the adoption of a One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health systems.
Prof (Dr) Narendra Saini, Chairman of the CMA and IMA AMR Committees and one of the principal drafters of the resolution, called the initiative a significant step in global health collaboration. “We have to move from advocacy to action. With this resolution, we are building a structure—from the grassroots to the global—where every doctor, student, hospital, and health worker becomes an AMR warrior,” he said.
Dr Saini also highlighted the resolution’s long-term focus. “This resolution recognises AMR as a generational challenge. It demands systemic reform, behavioural change, and policy accountability. As infections grow smarter, we must grow stronger. India is proud to lead from the front.”
The resolution includes the establishment of a new CMA Fellowship in AMR. The fellowship is intended to develop a cadre of global experts to lead research, policy development, and implementation strategies. It will support early- and mid-career health professionals seeking to specialise in antimicrobial stewardship.
Going forward, the Commonwealth Medical Association will collaborate with national medical associations to implement the resolution’s roadmap. This includes facilitating cross-country learning and monitoring progress on an annual basis. The London Resolution is positioned as a working plan for change, aiming to equip the medical community to respond collectively and effectively to the growing AMR challenge.