Jimmy Smith served as Director General of the International Livestock Research Institute from 2011-2022, he brings considerable experience in livestock research for development. Before joining ILRI, he worked for the World Bank, leading its global livestock portfolio. Earlier in his career, as ILRI’s regional representative for West Africa, he led the development of integrated research promoting smallholder livelihoods through animal agriculture and built effective partnerships among stakeholders in the region.

“As the whole world grapples with the urgent challenges of COVID 19  and climate change, we should not let the risk of Antimicrobial Resistance fall off the table. It is also urgent and compelling everywhere but particularly in developing countries where efforts to respond lag to those in developed countries with greater financial and institutional means. It is in this context that I am very pleased to be see ICARS coming to fruition as it will be a shot in the arm to the responsiveness of low and middle income countries on AMR. I am equally pleased to be asked to serve on ICARS inaugural Board”