[The environment's contribution to the spread of antibiotic resistance]

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria, which stems from mechanisms present in bacteria for millions of years, is a phenomenon that is now intensifying due to human activities and poses a major public health problem. The environment plays a key role as a reservoir, amplifier, and vector of resistance genes, a phenomenon facilitated by the presence of antibiotics, heavy metals, and biocides in soils and water. However, environmental surveillance remains limited, with an insufficient number of dedicated organizations and policies. Globally available data remain limited and heterogeneous, highlighting the need to harmonize surveillance approaches (i.e., sampling and methodology) to enable reliable comparisons between countries. It is therefore essential to implement coordinated actions at the international level, within the framework of an integrated "One Health" approach, to control the spread of antimicrobial resistance.