Participation of 55 Countries in the WHO GLASS: Progress and Gaps in AMR Surveillance and Stewardship Efforts

This project examined participation of South Centre Member Countries in the WHO Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS), focusing on progress, gaps and opportunities in antimicrobial resistance surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship efforts. The work assessed AMR surveillance reporting, antimicrobial use reporting, COVID-19-related disruption, laboratory and workforce capacity, digital infrastructure, and opportunities for regional collaboration among South Centre Member States. The project resulted in a South Centre Research Paper authored by Dr Rasha Abdelsalam Elshenawy and published on 20 November 2025.

This project looked at how South Centre Member Countries are taking part in the World Health Organization’s global system for tracking antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial use. It identified gaps in reporting and made recommendations to strengthen surveillance, stewardship, laboratory capacity, digital systems and regional collaboration.

The project found important gaps in AMR surveillance and antimicrobial use reporting among South Centre Member Countries. Only 60% reported AMR surveillance data to WHO GLASS, and only 38% reported antimicrobial use data. The work highlighted COVID-19-related disruption to surveillance activities and recommended a phased approach to strengthening national AMR action plans, laboratory and workforce capacity, interoperable digital infrastructure, and regional collaboration.