5th International Symposium on the Environmental Dimension of Antibiotic Resistance
Antibiotic resistance (AMR) is an emerging global challenge of fundamental importance that is threating human health, agriculture, economies and the ecosystem. It increasingly has been recognized across society, including by scientists, doctors, engineers, governments and the general public in the recent years. Effective policies and actions to combat AMR depend on understanding this problem including the factors driving the development of AMR, such as current practices in the different use sectors, assessment of the global scope and nature of the problem, and what are the most effective mitigation and stewardship practices. The role of the environment in AMR has been listed by UNEP Frontiers 2017 as the first of six emerging issues of environmental concern.
EDAR1, held in Canada in 2012, was a catalyzing international effort to address the environmental aspect of this problem. This momentum continued with EDAR2, 3, and 4 in China, Germany and United States, respectively. Over these four conferences, the scope of discussion has grown in size and become more comprehensive. The focus of concerns now encompasses all critical environmental aspects with an emphasis on considering issues holistically, and complementary to discussions in health and other arenas.
Research programs have continued to provide new insights making another gathering, EDAR5, a very timely opportunity to share findings and to identify key issues for advancing protection of public health and the environment. EDAR5 will broadly cover environmental AMR but will especially emphasize:
- fundamental scientific aspects of environmental AMR including sources and drivers
- approaches to effective mitigation in different use sectors
- connections between environmental hotspots and point sources such as medical settings
- risk assessment and policy implications
- global aspects and how to better communicate and inform all countries/regions
We believe that the discussions and ideas stimulated by the conference will further catalyze new research directions and perspectives and will foster effective and practical solutions for protecting the environment and human health.
We sincerely look forward to working with all of you and to welcoming you to The University of Hong Kong, a pioneering global university in Asia, founded in 1911.
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