India has become a member of the Global Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Research and Development (R&D) Hub, the department of biotechnology announced on September 12.

India will be a member of the board of members of Global AMR R&D Hub, an official statement said.

By partnering with the Global AMR R&D Hub, India looks forward to working with all partners to leverage their existing capabilities, resources and collectively focus on new R&D intervention to address drug-resistant infections.

“I am very pleased to welcome India as an important addition to our global partnership. Addressing AMR requires global action with active participation from all world regions and one health sectors. Expanding the membership of the Hub works towards ensuring that different countries’ needs are incorporated when considering AMR R&D activities and actions,” said Bersabel Ephrem, the acting chair of the Global AMR R&D Hub board of members.

In a major boost to combat one of the gravest risks to global health, a dedicated special purpose vehicle in terms of Global AMR R&D Hub may allow partners to devote expertise in order to accelerate global action against antimicrobial resistance.

Background

The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance continues unabated around the world. Given the important and interdependent human, animal and environmental dimensions of antimicrobial resistance, it is reasonable to explore issues of antimicrobial resistance through the lens of One Health approach and should be supported by long-term commitments from all stakeholders.

The Global AMR R&D Hub was launched in May 2018 at the margins of the 71st session of the World Health Assembly, following a call from G-20 leaders in 2017.

The Global AMR R&D Hub supports global priority setting and evidence-based decision-making on the allocation of resources for AMR R&D through the identification of gaps, overlaps and potential for cross-sectoral collaboration and leveraging in AMR R&D.

With the joining of India, the global partnership working to address challenges and improve coordination and collaboration in global AMR R&D expands to 16 countries, the European Commission, two philanthropic foundations and four international organisations (as observers).

The operation of the Global AMR R&D Hub is supported through a Secretariat, established in Berlin and currently financed through grants from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG).