International Workshop on Environmental Dimension of Antimicrobial Resistance under One Health was Successfully Held

19 10, 2023

The International Workshop on Environmental Dimension of Antimicrobial Resistance (EDAR) under One Health, was successfully held from 26th to 28th Sep, 2023. More than 40 scientists from over ten countries along the Belt and Road, including Poland, Slovenia, Pakistan, Thailand, Iran, Denmark, United Kingdom, Singapore, Switzerland, and Australia gathered at the Ningbo Academic Center to discuss the environmental effects, risk assessment, and other biosafety issues related to antibiotic resistance within the framework of One Health.

The opening ceremony was attended by Jinghua Cao, the Executive Director of Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO), Wei Fang, the Secretary of Ningbo Association for Science and Technology, Shaohua Chen, Party Secretary of the Institute of Urban Environment of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Yong-guan Zhu, Academic Director of the Institute of Urban Environment and Director-General of the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Environmental antibiotic resistance is one of the top ten global public health issues. To prevent the spread of resistant bacteria among humans, animals, and the environment, concerted action is needed from multiple sectors worldwide. During the workshop, scientists shared their latest research findings and technologies on the environmental effects of antibiotic resistance, emerging biosafety issues under the One Health framework, and new methods for monitoring and assessing environmental antibiotic resistance. They advocated for collaborative strategies in various fields such as human health, animal health, and agricultural production. The workshop provided a platform for experts and scholars in the field of environmental biology to exchange ideas, promoted international cooperation, and addressed the growing conflicts and problems between humans and environments from the perspective of One Health. The outcome will support the United Nations' sustainable development goals and improving human health and well-being.

During the workshop, the participants visit the Yangtze River Delta Health Research Institute and its modern agriculture facilities.

This workshop was organized by the Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and jointly organized by Xiamen Science and Technology Bureau, the International Program Office for "Urban Health and Wellbeing", "the Belt and Road" Urban Environment and Health Alliance, and Ningbo Observation and Research Station of the Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences. It was supported by the Key Collaborative Research Program of the Alliance of International Science Organizations (Investigating the transcontinental-scale distribution of antibiotic resistance along the Belt and Road initiative countries), Ningbo City's Top Talents Science and Technology Project, and “the Belt and Road" Urban Environment and Health Alliance.

Resource: Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences