Emerging infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance seriously endanger individual and global health. A comprehensive strategy is needed to tackle health threats from infectious diseases – one that requires a much more visible political and public profile and a cross-sectoral approach, involving health, agriculture, development, economy and other policy areas.

The G7 Academies of Sciences call for:

• (1) accelerating research and production of new antimicrobial agents, vaccines and diagnostics,
• (2) prioritising the research agenda to fill knowledge gaps for key diseases,
• (3) installing global surveillance programmes,
• (4) raising awareness in society, and
• (5) a coordinated rapid response in the face of major epidemics. Only then can the necessary resources be generated to ensure optimal prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for all.