Opening remarks were delivered by Dr. Muna Abu Sin, AMR Ambassador of Germany’s Federal Ministry of Health, alongside representatives from ISID, ICARS, EUP-OHAMR, and the Global AMR R&D Hub. The remarks emphasized the urgent need for stronger integration between diagnostics, surveillance systems, and response mechanisms to address the growing global burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Prof. Sally Roberts, President of ISID, highlighted the Society’s long-standing commitment to strengthening global infectious disease preparedness through collaboration, surveillance, and equitable access to knowledge and innovation. In her presentation, Prof Roberts also showcased ISID’s expanding AMR capabilities through ProMED-AMR, which continues to provide expert-moderated global AMR intelligence and situational awareness.
Keynote presentations examined both the scientific and operational dimensions of AMR diagnostics. Prof. Heiman Wertheim from Radboud University discussed innovations in infection management and bacterial AMR diagnostics, while stressing that implementation gaps, rather than innovation shortages, remain the primary challenge facing many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). His presentation underscored the critical importance of strengthening basic microbiology capacity, expanding access to affordable diagnostics, and ensuring that rapid diagnostic tools translate into timely clinical action.
Dr. Tom Chiller from IMMY and the Global Action For Fungal Infections (GAFFI) delivered a compelling presentation on fungal diagnostics and antifungal resistance. Dr Chiller highlighted the often-overlooked burden of fungal diseases, the emergence of drug-resistant fungal pathogens such as Candida auris, and the need to integrate fungal diagnostics into the broader global AMR agenda. Strong emphasis was placed on rapid, culture-independent diagnostics and diagnostic stewardship as essential components of effective antifungal resistance responses.
Case studies from multiple regions demonstrated practical implementation experiences and lessons learned from the frontline. Ms. Linnet Ochieng from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) presented findings from the ILRI-EUCAST-ICARS regional laboratory capacity strengthening initiative, which focused on improving antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) capacity in LMICs. Her presentation highlighted persistent challenges related to infrastructure, quality control, laboratory supplies, and sustained mentorship, while emphasizing that laboratory systems strengthening requires long-term investment beyond short-term training activities.
Dr. Nada Malou from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) presented the Antibiogo initiative, a smartphone-based application that uses artificial intelligence to support antimicrobial susceptibility testing and interpretation in resource-limited settings. The session illustrated how digital innovations can simultaneously support diagnostics, training, quality management, and AMR surveillance, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings where microbiology expertise remains limited.
Prof. John W. A. Rossen from the University Medical Center Groningen presented the DRAIGON project, an ambitious European initiative leveraging whole genome sequencing and AI-driven bioinformatics to accelerate AMR diagnostics and predict antimicrobial susceptibility. The project demonstrated how advanced sequencing technologies and machine learning tools could reduce diagnostic timelines from days to hours while supporting more targeted antimicrobial therapy and enhanced surveillance. Importantly, discussions also explored how such technologies could be adapted for both high-resource and resource-constrained settings.
Artificial intelligence and clinical decision-support systems formed a central theme throughout the event. Mr. Javier Fernández Domínguez from Pragmatech AI Solutions explored how AI-driven platforms can support antimicrobial prescribing decisions, improve adherence to treatment guidelines, and reduce inappropriate antibiotic use. His presentation highlighted growing evidence that predictive AI tools can improve antimicrobial stewardship while enhancing patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency.
Conversations throughout the evening consistently returned to one overarching message: technology alone will not solve AMR. Sustainable impact requires investment in laboratory systems, workforce development, context-appropriate implementation, interoperability of surveillance platforms, and stronger alignment between innovation, policy, and frontline operational realities. Speakers repeatedly emphasized that diagnostics must move closer to patients and healthcare workers to support faster, evidence-based action.
Closing reflections focused on strengthening global collaboration, fostering implementation partnerships, and accelerating investment in scalable AMR diagnostic and AI solutions. Participants also explored opportunities to further connect diagnostics, surveillance, early warning systems, and antimicrobial stewardship within a broader One Health framework.
Participants highlighted the strong value of the side event in creating a collaborative platform that connected diagnostics developers, artificial intelligence innovators, policymakers, implementation scientists, funders, and frontline practitioners working across the AMR ecosystem. Conversations during the networking reception emphasized growing interest in strengthening partnerships, accelerating implementation of context-appropriate diagnostic technologies, and improving alignment between innovation, surveillance systems, and clinical decision-making pathways. Several participants also underscored the importance of sustained dialogue and future convenings focused on practical implementation challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.