Posted: 14 November 2025
MTPConnect was positioned at the forefront of international antimicrobial resistance (AMR) advocacy, following the selection of its Australian Antimicrobial Resistance Network (AAMRNet) to join the World Health Organization (WHO) Civil Society Task Force on AMR. The appointment placed Australia among 80 organisations contributing to strengthened global coordination on one of the world’s most urgent health challenges.
“It was a privilege for AAMRNet to be appointed to this new WHO task force, and we were especially pleased that MTPConnect’s Andrew Bowskill was chosen for the 12-member steering committee,” said MTPConnect CEO and AAMRNet co-chair, Stuart Dignam. He noted that having Australia represented alongside the US, UK, Belgium, Brazil, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Switzerland, the Philippines and Tanzania ensured the nation’s perspectives were included in global policy discussions.
The WHO Task Force was established to deepen engagement with civil society organisations, foster cross-sector collaboration, build capacity, and highlight the experiences of communities affected by AMR. Its first plenary session was scheduled for World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (18–24 November), where members would define priorities and collective actions for the human health sector.
The announcement also drew attention to the leadership and scientific strengths of Australia’s research ecosystem. As Mr Dignam noted, the appointment would “shine a global light on Australian life science researchers and companies involved in AMR innovations.”
AAMRNet continued to advocate for three priority interventions to strengthen national and regional preparedness: a dedicated AMR-focused accelerator to translate research into new technologies; a pilot subscription-style funding model to enhance access to novel antimicrobials and stimulate R&D; and expanded support to bolster resilience and equitable access to treatments across the Pacific.
Established and operated by MTPConnect, AAMRNet brings together experts from industry, research, clinical practice, patient communities and government to address critical AMR challenges. Its growing Australian membership includes Pfizer ANZ, CSIRO, GSK Australia, Recce Pharmaceuticals, MSD Australia, Botanix Pharmaceuticals, SpeeDx, Medicines Australia, Tenmile, Biointelect, Monash Centre to Impact AMR and Bugworks Australia, alongside extensive Australian and international partners.
