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UKRI aims to build knowledge and capability to better detect and disrupt the emergence and spread of infectious diseases, accelerating the development of new vaccines and therapeutics. (Image source: UKRI-Getty Images)

Over the years, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has proceeded to become one of humanity's biggest threats, urging farming researchers to join the global fight against this creeping pandemic

Eight new networks comprising a combination of different research specialisms will support diverse teams of AMR researchers to develop approaches aimed at tackling AMR across various sectors and disciplines. Approximately US6.3mn will be shared from the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), awarded as part of its tackling infections strategic theme. Drawing on a dedicated budget of around US$9.2mn, the programme will continue next year with a new opportunity for ambitious new transdisciplinary research programmes.

The networks include:

- The AMAST (AMR in Agrifood Systems Transdisciplinary) Network: Led by Matthew Gilmour of the Quadram Institute, this network will coordinate the agri-food trans-disciplinary community engaged in AMR activities covering crop, livestock and aquaculture sectors, while also interactions with industry, trade associations, policy makers, and academia involved in food production.

- The Climate Change Impacts on AMR Using a Planetary Health Framework (CLIMAR) Network: Led by William Gaze from the University of Exeter, this network aims to find transdisciplinary solutions to reduce AMR infections while promoting innovations for alternative treatments.

- The ARREST-AMR (Accurate, Rapid, Robust and Economical One Health DiagnoSTics for antimicrobial resistance) Network: Led by Mark Bradley from the Queen Mary University of London, this network will focus on diagnostic tools in a One Health context. 

- The Fungal One Health and Antimicrobial Resistance Network: Led by Darius Armstrong-James from Imperial College London, this network will cover healthcare, agricultural and pharmaceutical industries as well as key government departments and end users in these settings.

- The Futures AMR Network (FAN): Led by Linda Oyama from the Queen's University Belfast, FAN will support early career researchers across a range of disciplines to become future leaders in AMR and tackle it in agri-food health, environment and medicine using approaches in the arts and artificial intelligence, behavioral economics, clinical engineering and discovery.

- IMPACT AMR: a Transdisciplinary Network: Led by Clare Chandler from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, this network will address key policy questions around AMR mitigation strategies, by working with policymakers and stakeholders to prioritise effective interventions that reduce the AMR burden in a feasible, socially acceptable, and economically beneficial manner.

- The People AMR Network: Led by Sarah Tonkin-Crine from the University of Oxford, this network will explore ways to help people make decisions about antibiotic use, develop new strategies and tools, and to study these to ensure they target the right people, the right behaviours, and the right settings to have maximum and timely impact at the lowest possible cost.

- The Transdisciplinary Antimicrobial Resistance Genomics (TARGet) Network: Led by Willem van Schaik from the University of Birmingham, this network will utilise recent genomic advances to better understand AMR, thereby covering the needs of academia, business, NHS, social care settings and veterinary medicine.

According to head of strategy, Advanced Manufacturing and Clean Growth at UKRI, Dr. Colin Miles, AMR is a large, complex problem with 10 million people expected to lose their lives to it each year by 2050. 

“Rather than taking single-discipline approaches, we need researchers from across disciplines to come together and look at all aspects of the problem – from human behaviour and how we grow crops and rear animals for consumption to how we manage the environment or use technology, clinical management strategies and challenging established cultural norms,” said Dr. Miles. 

The course offers a convenient way for industry professionals to enhance their knowledge and skills at their own pace. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

In order to ensure quality and safety, the GMP+ Academy is launching an e-learning module that teach attendees the basics of correct sampling techniques

Effective sampling guides decision-making throughout production, thus ensuring that the feed is of high quality and safe for both humans and animals. The module is specifically designed for production companies in the feed industry. The course offers a convenient way for industry professionals to enhance their knowledge and skills at their own pace.

The course will guide attendees through the A-Z of sampling, addressing questions regarding the meaning of sampling; why and how to take samples; the type of sampling equipments needed; as well as techniques to correctly label, seal and store samples. The total duration of the course is 45 minutes and costs US$54.26.

To access the course, visit the GMP+ Academy platform: www.gmpplusacademy.org

IFC Supports SeABank to Issue Vietnam’s First Blue Bond, Boost Climate Finance. (Image source: SeABank)

IFC is providing a financing package of US$150mn to Southeast Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SeABank) to catalyse a viable blue finance market, foster green bonds and support smaller businesses in Vietnam

As part of that, IFC's $25 million subscription in blue bonds will allow SeABank to expand its funding for sustainable economic activities associated with ocean and water. These include aquaculture and fisheries, water supply, etc. IFC's US$50mn subscription in green bonds will help the bank increase financing for green assets. 

As the implementing entity of the UK's Market Accelerator for Green Construction (MAGC) Programme, IFC will provide a performance-based incentive of up to US$0.48mn targeting retail borrowers to help offset the incremental greening costs associated with green housing units purchase. 

Moreover, IFC's US$75mn loan to SeABank is aimed at promoting financial inclusion through boosting financing for SMEs, including women-owned businesses. Alongside the investment, IFC will advise SeABank on adopting green and blue bond frameworks, while helping SeABank identify eligible green and blue assets and develop a pipeline.

"Vietnam's green transition relies heavily on private capital, and the launch of innovative financing instruments such as blue and green bonds offers a new source of funding for climate-related projects," said Thomas Jacobs, IFC country manager for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Lao PDR. "With investment in a leading player, IFC is establishing new asset classes while mobilizing capital and strengthening the capacity of local financial institutions to drive increased climate finance in Vietnam."

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