7. May 2025

ICARS Board of Directors convenes in Copenhagen for strategic discussions and engagements

From 29–30 April, the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS) welcomed its Board of Directors to Copenhagen for a two-day series of engagements, including a formal Board meeting, a visit to ICARS headquarters, and strategic dialogues with key Danish partners and funders. 

As the supreme governing body of ICARS, the Board of Directors holds ultimate responsibility for the organisation’s strategic and financial direction. Comprising global experts in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), global health, policy, leadership and development, the Board brings critical insight and leadership to support ICARS’ mission of co-developing context-specific, sustainable solutions to AMR challenges in partnership with low- and middle-income countries. 

The programme began with an informal meet-and-greet session between Board members and ICARS staff. This provided an opportunity to deepen mutual understanding of respective roles and expertise, and to showcase the breadth and diversity of the ICARS team, now numbering over 40 people. 

“There’s something truly special about coming together in person. Being at ICARS headquarters, meeting the team, and immersing ourselves in honest, forward-looking discussions brought a real sense of shared purpose. It’s moments like these that remind us why this work matters, and why our collective energy is so vital to driving it forward.” — Renu Swarup, Vice-Chair of the ICARS Board of Directors 

Photo caption: ICARS Board of Directors together with staff members present in the office 

The formal Board agenda covered a wide array of strategic topics central to ICARS’ ongoing development. Discussions included updates on: 

  • ICARS’ growing project portfolio, with a total of 55 projects, across 25 countries and territories – as well as ongoing capacity strengthening and training efforts. 
  • Newly approved projects entering the co-development phase following Expressions of Interest (EOIs). 
  • The long-term financial plan including the 2025 budget outlook. 
  • ICARS’ revised Communications, Partnerships and Funding strategies.  
  • The Board also initiated preliminary conversations regarding the forthcoming ICARS Strategy 2026–2030. 

Throughout the sessions, Board members drew on their collective expertise to provide critical insights and guidance, reinforcing ICARS’ commitment to evidence-based, collaborative, and context-driven approaches to addressing AMR. 

“The past two days in Copenhagen have been both productive and inspiring. The Board was deeply impressed by the strides ICARS has made in advancing its mission, and our engagements with key partners reaffirmed the organisation’s growing influence on the global AMR stage. These discussions, both strategic and bilateral, are a testament to ICARS’ commitment to collaboration, innovation, and impact.” — Henrik Wegener, Chair of the ICARS Board of Directors 

In addition to internal deliberations, the Board also engaged in a series of high-level meetings with key ICARS stakeholders based in Denmark including: 

  • The Danish Ministry of the Interior and Health 
  • The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
  • Statens Serum Insititute 
  • The World Health Organisation – Europe 
  • The Novo Nordisk Foundation 

These discussions focused on progress to date and explored avenues for continued collaboration and innovation in addressing AMR challenges. These engagements reaffirmed Denmark’s pivotal role as both a founding funder and an active partner in ICARS’ global efforts to mitigate the threat of AMR while at the same time confirming ICARS global identity and the significance of international partnerships, including with the Quadripartite organisations. 

“It was a truly inspiring and rewarding occasion to have our board members with us in Copenhagen. Their rich experience and collective wisdom are indeed a blessing to ICARS as an organization. Our interactions during the board, with our staff, and with various stakeholders in Copenhagen, is a testament to the critical role of board members within the ICARS family, together moving towards our vision and mission.” —  Sujith J Chandy, Executive Director, ICARS