Denmark to host new international research centre for global solutions to antimicrobial resistance

It is widely recognized that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest threats to global health, prosperity and economic growth.

Today, Denmark takes an important first step in the process of strengthening global governance in the fight against AMR when Danish Minister of Health, Ellen Trane Nørby, signs a memorandum of understanding with CGIAR.

The agreement states mutual intentions to collaborate closely on the establishing of an independent research centre, the International Centre for Interdisciplinary Solutions on AMR, in Denmark. 

“Antimicrobial resistance is a serious global threat that requires ambitious global solutions on multiple levels. I am very proud that Denmark is now taking leadership in our future global work on finding new solutions for the serious challenges with antimicrobial resistance that we are facing today,” says Minister of Health, Ellen Trane Nørby.

“Denmark is globally recognized for our work with antimicrobial resistance. I would be very pleased to have the new AMR-centre placed in Denmark. This will give Denmark an opportunity to remain in the lead, when it comes to world-class research on antimicrobial resistance and attract top scientists across the world to Denmark,” says Minister for Environment and Food Jakob Elleman-Jensen. 

“Antimicrobial resistance is an enormous problem, not least for the developing countries. This issue will be an important part of the activities of the future centre,” says Minister for Development Cooperation, Ulla Tørnæs.

Antimicrobial resistance is a huge challenge which affects a lot of people around the world. That is why it is great that we now cooperate across borders about this issue. In Denmark, we are already in front when it comes to research in the area. We need to share and develop this knowledge together with international experts so that it makes a difference to as many people as possible”, says Minister for Higher Education and Science, Tommy Ahlers.

The World Bank has discussed the need for strengthened global governance in the fight against AMR with the Danish government for approximately a year.

The ambition of the future International Centre for Interdisciplinary Solutions on AMR is that the Centre serves as an independent knowledge node for evidence and research on AMR. To fulfil the ambition, support from international organizations, countries and other partners is crucial.

The imperative of the centre is also to support the development and implementation of context-specific solutions for AMR elimination with a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries as the prevalence of drug resistance is generally higher in these countries than in most industrialized countries.