1.1 WHO GLASS objectives

‘The goal of GLASS is to enable standardised, comparable and validated data on AMR to be collected, analysed and shared with countries, in order to inform decision-making, drive local, national and regional action, and provide the evidence base for action and advocacy.’

As noted, GLASS promotes and supports a standardised approach to data collection, analysis and sharing by nations. It also provides a portal for submission of AMR data and produces an annual report on the results. As part of the standardised approach, GLASS provides guidance on the key components (i.e. the structure, processes and functions) of a national AMR surveillance system, so that data reported to GLASS are readily comparable between countries. It addresses issues around the use of common standards for methods, data sharing and coordination at local and national levels.

The strategic objectives of GLASS are to:

  1. foster national surveillance systems and harmonize global standards
  2. monitor global AMR trends in fast-growing bacteria causing common infections in humans and inform the WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines and WHO AWaRe classification of antibiotics
  3. estimate the extent and burden of AMR globally by [using] selected indicators
  4. detect emerging resistance and its international spread
  5. generate data to assess the impact of interventions and inform the implementation of prevention and control strategies
  6. inform research and development of new tools for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human infections caused by fast-growing bacteria.

1 WHO GLASS

2 The function of national AMR surveillance systems