Harare will host the One Health AMR Conference 2025 from 19–20 November, coinciding with World Antimicrobial Awareness Week. The flagship event will convene over 150 in-person participants alongside a wider virtual audience, bringing together national, regional, and international experts to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing global public health and development challenge.
AMR undermines the effective treatment of infections in humans, animals, and plants, affecting health systems, food security, trade, and the environment. Zimbabwe has made notable strides in combating AMR, supported by initiatives such as the Fleming Fund and the AMR Multi-Partner Trust Fund, strengthening laboratory capacity, AMR and antimicrobial use (AMU) surveillance, infection prevention and control, agrifood sector biosecurity, and community-focused behaviour change initiatives.
The conference aims to provide a national platform for sharing evidence, strengthening partnerships, and showcasing innovations to improve policy influence and ensure the sustainability of AMR interventions. Over two days, participants will engage in scientific presentations, panel discussions, exhibitions, and poster sessions on themes including surveillance across One Health sectors, stewardship and governance, digital innovations, community-level solutions, and policy pathways. Multisectoral speakers will include representatives from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Ministry of Lands and Agriculture, FAO, WHO, BRTI, academia, civil society, development partners, and the private sector.
An Innovation and Exhibition Pavilion will highlight laboratory tools, digital platforms, biosafety technologies, and solutions developed by research institutes, private companies, and implementing partners. Youth engagement will be led by the Generational Stewards for Antimicrobials, emphasizing the vital role of young scientists and advocates in sustaining progress against AMR.
The conference will also showcase Zimbabwe’s achievements under the second National Action Plan for AMR (2024–2028) and explore emerging regional collaboration opportunities. Organizers, including the Government of Zimbabwe through the One Health Secretariat, FAO, WHO, and BRTI, stress that multisectoral partnerships are essential to preserving the effectiveness of antimicrobials and protecting the country’s health and food systems for future generations.
