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News from ICARS: Launch of ICARS Strategy 2026-2030 | ICARS appoints new Executive Director | Newly launched ICARS-supported projects

Published 2 June 2026

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Dear valued partners and colleagues,

Welcome to the latest edition of the ICARS newsletter.

This is a period of growth and transition for ICARS. As we prepare to launch our new Strategy 2026-2030, we are also pleased to welcome Helle Engslund Krarup as our new Executive Director, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the organisation.

In this issue, you will find highlights from recent global engagements and partnerships, updates from across our project portfolio, and an introduction to seven newly approved initiatives addressing antimicrobial resistance across the One Health spectrum. We also share new publications, resources, and insights from our work with partners around the world.

Behind every update is a shared commitment to developing practical, context-specific solutions that help countries translate evidence into action. We are grateful to all our partners, funders, project teams, and collaborators who make this work possible.

We hope you enjoy this update and invite you to follow us on LinkedIn for the latest news, publications, and upcoming events. If you know colleagues who may be interested in ICARS' work, please feel free to share this newsletter and encourage them to subscribe.

With warm regards,
The ICARS Team

Launch of ICARS Strategy 2026-2030

From evidence to impact: launch of the ICARS strategy 2026-2030

Join ICARS for the launch of our new Strategy 2026-2030, outlining how we have refined our approach and will continue working with partners to advance sustainable impact through implementation research and country-led action.

Building on five years of partnership-driven efforts across low- and middle-income countries, the webinar will introduce the strategic priorities guiding ICARS’ work through 2030 and explore what this means for project teams, partners, funders and future collaboration on AMR mitigation. The session will include reflections on lessons learned, country ownership, translating evidence into practice, and sustaining impact in a changing global health environment.

Organisational updates

ICARS appoints Helle Engslund Krarup as new Executive Director

ICARS is pleased to announce the appointment of Helle Engslund Krarup as its new Executive Director. Helle has served as Director of Operations since May 2020 and brings to the role deep knowledge of the organisation, a clear commitment to ICARS’ mission and continued impact in addressing antimicrobial resistance globally. Her experience spans policy development, cross-government collaboration, and international health engagement, with a consistent focus on translating evidence into practical outcomes.

Global engagement and events

ICARS at the One Health Summit 2026

ICARS participated in the One Health Summit in Lyon, France, represented by Executive Director Helle Engslund Krarup, together with Theresa Høgenhaug and Rodolphe Mader. The Summit convened leaders from governments, international organisations, academia, and the private sector to advance the One Health agenda and address global challenges, including AMR.

ICARS participates in the 1st Americas Regional Meeting on AMR in Brazil

In March 2026, an ICARS delegation participated in the 1st Americas Regional Meeting on AMR in Brazil. The event brought together government representatives from 23 countries, international organisations, as well as global partners, researchers, and AMR stakeholders from across the LAC region.

ICARS at ESCMID Global 2026

Between 17 and 21 April 2026, more than 17,000 participants attended the ESCMID Global congress in Munich, Germany. A seven-member delegation from ICARS took part, alongside project team representatives from Kenya and Colombia.

Project updates

Reducing antimicrobial resistance in Colombia: ICARS highlights FARM-CARE project results and LIMCRE annual advisory board meeting

In March, ICARS visited Bogotá and Barranquilla, Colombia, to support the continued implementation and dissemination of two ICARS-supported AMR mitigation projects spanning animal and human health.

ICARS attends official launch of the neonatal AMR project in Ghana

In May, ICARS took part in a five-day visit that included the official launch of the neonatal AMR project in Ghana. The project aims to reduce the incidence of neonatal infections, including those caused by drug-resistant pathogens and also improve health outcomes with rational antibiotic use for neonatal infections.

ICARS announces intervention implementation research study to strengthen infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship during surgeries to reduce site infections in Uganda

In March 2026, an ICARS delegation travelled to Kampala, Uganda, to participate in the official launch of an ICARS-supported project that will test a practical, evidence-based approach to reducing surgical site infections and improving antibiotic use during surgeries in three Ugandan regional referral hospitals.

New ICARS-supported projects

Seven new ICARS-supported projects launched to address AMR across human health, animal health and the environment

In Argentina, a project will use a combination of microbiological and social science research to assess the long-term impact of the 2019 colistin ban on AMR, livestock production practices and stakeholder experiences.

In Bangladesh, a project aims to better understand antimicrobial use and governance in the country’s growing contract poultry sector. Through value chain mapping and policy analysis, the project will identify opportunities to strengthen AMS and support efforts to combat AMR.

The BEACOI-Africa project aims to strengthen capacity for economic evaluation of AMR interventions across multiple sectors. Through training, mentorship, and the development of practical tools the project will support evidence-informed AMR policies and investment decisions.

In Botswana, a project aims to strengthen IPC in hospitals to reduce healthcare-associated infections and AMR. The project will implement and evaluate tailored interventions in neonatal and other high-risk hospital wards.

The One Health Drive AMS-IPC Africa project aims to develop and implement a multidisciplinary capacity-building programme for AMS, IPC, and biosecurity through a structured One Health and quality improvement approach, building on the existing Drive-AMS model.

In Rwanda, a project aims to strengthen AMS for surgical antibiotic prophylaxis to reduce surgical site infections and improve patient outcomes. Through training, monitoring, and feedback, the project will support better adherence to antibiotic guidelines and infection prevention practices.

In Zimbabwe, a project aims to strengthen wastewater management to reduce environmental pollution by antibiotic resistant microbes, antibiotic resistant genes and antibiotic residues in wastewater from poultry abattoirs.

Resources

Impact case study

Community engagement and antimicrobial stewardship in Kosovo

Journal Publication

Prevalence of E.coli and Salmonella in Colombian Pig Production: A One Health Study

Journal publication

Combining CRP testing and patient information leaflets to safely reduce antibiotic use for acute respiratory tract infections in adults: Protocol for the 2CARE randomised controlled trial in Kyrgyz primary care

Journal publication

Contextual analysis of antibiotic prescribing practices for upper respiratory infections and diarrhea in rural Punjab, Pakistan

Journal publication

Gender and equity in antimicrobial resistance policy: new FAO & ICARS report

Journal publication

Applying a gender and equity matrix for a contextualized antimicrobial stewardship intervention in Pakistan

Journal publication

Vaccines for antimicrobial resistance prevention: commentary on bridging the gap between immunisation and AMR strategies

Poster

The non-linear nature of infection prevention and control (IPC) implementation: social and structural dynamics in Colombian public ICUs

Poster

Strengthening AST capacity in LMICs: lessons from an ILRI-EUCAST-ICARS regional laboratory capacity-building initiative

Report

Annual Report 2025

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Stay connected with ICARS’ efforts to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Subscribe to our quarterly newsletter to receive updates on international collaborations, project implementation, newly released resources, and event announcements.

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Poultry farming in Cambodia, where a new ICARS-supported project will focus on responsible antimicrobial use and improved husbandry practices.

ICARS expands collaboration in Cambodia to address AMR in the poultry sector

Strengthening AMR mitigation and implementation research across Southeast Asia

ICARS team visits Nepal to advance work on AMR and climate-smart poultry farming

ICARS joins the launch of the Team Europe Initiative to strengthen AMR action and One Health workforce development in Africa

ICARS participates in the 1st Americas Regional Meeting on AMR in Brazil

ICARS attends official launch of the neonatal AMR project in Ghana

ICARS at the One Health Summit 2026

ICARS at ESCMID Global 2026

Reducing antimicrobial resistance in Colombia: ICARS highlights FARM-CARE project results and LIMCRE annual advisory board meeting

ICARS appoints Helle Engslund Krarup as new Executive Director

ICARS announces intervention implementation research study to strengthen infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship during surgeries to reduce surgical site infections in Uganda

ICARS attends the African Union Member States’ Inaugural Fungal Disease Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia