Hamburg, Germany – On 2 June 2025, global health and development leaders and key stakeholders gathered at the Hamburg City Hall for a high-level roundtable titled “Scaling Solutions and Financing for Antimicrobial Resistance Mitigation”, held as part of the Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC) 2025. The session was hosted by the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS) and ReAct Africa. This by-invitation-only roundtable, held in person, brought together representatives from international organisations, governments, civil society, funders, multilateral development banks, and the private sector.
The roundtable discussion addressed the escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a critical challenge that spans human and animal health, agriculture, and the environment, disproportionately impacting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). With projections estimating 39.1 million AMR-related deaths over the next 25 years and potential global economic losses reaching 3.8% of GDP by 2050, the discussion underscored the urgent need for coordinated, sustainable action.
Participants discussed how to translate growing political commitments, such as the 2024 UN Political Declaration on AMR and the Pandemic Agreement, into local, impactful interventions. A key focus was integrating AMR into broader development agendas using a One Health approach that links human, animal, and environmental health, as well as exploring new sustainable funding mechanisms for AMR mitigation.
To reinforce the outcomes of the event, the Hamburg Joint Statement on AMR was released immediately following the roundtable. Supported by 15 participating stakeholders, including, among others, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France and Denmark, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Africa CDC, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the statement highlights a shared commitment to collaborative global action against AMR.
Opening remarks were delivered by Sujith J. Chandy, Executive Director of ICARS, who framed AMR within the current geopolitical context, and Raphael Chanda, Acting Director of ReAct Africa, who shared perspectives from Africa and highlighted the need for unified action across sectors and geographies.
“Despite the challenging times the world finds itself in, we must not let the efforts to tackle antimicrobial resistance slip from the global agenda. The commitments on AMR from the UNGA high level declaration need to move into sustainable context-specific solutions, supported with bold, creative financing that delivers real impact in settings that need it the most.” – Dr Sujith J. Chandy, Executive Director, ICARS
“Addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) requires practical, inclusive solutions rooted in the realities of those most affected. African countries bring vital experience in integrating AMR into broader health and development agendas, often with limited resources but high levels of innovation and resilience. This roundtable is a crucial opportunity to amplify these voices and ensure that sustainable financing and action reflect the needs and leadership of low- and middle-income countries. Collaborative, cross-sectoral action is not just beneficial, it is essential.” – Dr Raphael Chanda, Acting Director, ReAct Africa
The roundtable featured diverse perspectives across five themes:
- Global health and development donor perspectives on AMR with remarks by Denmark, France, and the European Commission
- Country perspectives – situation and challenges presented by ReAct Africa, Africa CDC, and Kosovo
- Innovative solutions to address AMR presented with best practice examples from Thailand, C-CAMP, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the Global AMR R&D Hub
- Integration of sustainable solutions and programmes presented by the Quadripartite Joint Secretariat (represented by WHO), Germany, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and bioMérieux
- Financing mechanisms for AMR and multilateral challenges with remarks by the Center for Global Development, World Bank, The Global Fund and Wellcome
The discussions underscored the urgent need for sustainable and coordinated financing to address AMR as a global health and development threat. Stakeholders emphasised the importance of embedding AMR into national health priorities and budgets, moving beyond fragmented commitments to integrated, country-led solutions grounded in the One Health approach. While momentum around the need to address AMR has grown, there remains a pressing call for innovative financing mechanisms, strengthening of accountability frameworks, and scaling locally relevant, evidence-based interventions. Countries shared both progress and persistent challenges, particularly in governance, political will, and domestic resource mobilisation. Innovation was highlighted with best practice cases from countries. Across sectors, participants highlighted that addressing AMR effectively requires a shift from commitments on paper to scalable, measurable action rooted in collaboration, innovation, and sustainability.
ReAct Africa and ICARS were selected to lead this pivotal session on AMR, as part of Forum III on Leveraging Transformation and Transforming Global Health at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference.
The HSC is an international sustainability platform that brings together leaders from politics, business, academia, and civil society to plan the implementation of joint processes aimed at achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The HSC is an initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Michael Otto Foundation, and the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.
About the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS)
ICARS’ mission is to partner with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in their efforts to reduce drug-resistant infections. In partnership with key stakeholders including LMIC ministries and local research institutions, ICARS co-develops interventions, which provide evidence for context-specific and cost-effective solutions to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) that are fit for sustainable scale-up.
Through the provision of technical expertise and financing, ICARS supports projects across the One Health spectrum to support countries’ AMR National Action Plans.
ReAct Africa is a regional hub of the global ReAct network, uniting experts and stakeholders across sectors to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We support the development and implementation of National Action Plans through technical assistance and strategic coordination. Embracing a One Health approach, ReAct Africa drives awareness and advocacy efforts across human health, veterinary, agricultural, and environmental sectors.
Our mission is to promote sustainable, context-specific solutions that ensure equitable access to effective antibiotics and protect the right to health for all. Working collaboratively with national, regional, and global partners, ReAct Africa champions integrated, multisectoral action to address the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.
Media Enquiries
For further information, please contact:
- Theresa Hogenhaug: tcah@icars-global.org
- Sephy Valuks: sephy@icars-global.org
