Built upon the outcomes of the 2018 High-level Meeting spearheaded by ASEF, the high-level conference on “Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in an Era of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Pandemics” was co-organised by Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), AMR Clinical Reference Center and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. The conference took place on 21-22 February 2023 in Tokyo, Japan.
The overall aim of this conference was to facilitate a much-needed dialogue between governments and other stakeholders on practical ways to integrate a concern for AMR into UHC. Unlike short-term measures and funding schemes, health systems are here to stay. Accordingly, the conference discussed sustainable actions on AMR using the health system approach. Actionable AMR strategies that address the need to support high-quality science and provide incentives to develop and produce new antimicrobials were considered. The conference explored the links between mitigating AMR under UHC and pandemic preparedness. Last but not least, possible international collaborations and effective coordination mechanisms were sought, as AMR cannot be solved by a single country on its own.
The conference brought together senior-level health officials who are working in the areas of UHC, AMR, and Pandemic Preparedness and Response (PPR). The conference featured presentations and panel discussions on topical subjects, such as about innovative ideas on R&D and commercialisation of antimicrobials for sustainability, as well as group discussions on priorities for international cooperation between Asia and Europe to support progress towards sustainable UHC while containing risks of emerging infectious diseases, including AMR.
Download the conference’s Scope & Purpose here.
Download the report
