Consultation meeting for the establishment of the Kyrgyz Laboratory Network for AMR in food and agriculture

Setting up the National Laboratory Network for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in food and agriculture sectors in Kyrgyzstan is a key initiative to foster the generation and reporting of AMR laboratory-based data, ensuring the level of standardization and harmonization of procedures and diagnostic techniques among laboratories included in the AMR surveillance and their effective integration. The network is foreseen to assume a key role in providing scientific and technical advice to all relevant laboratories in the country for capacity improvement on AMR detection, both for surveillance and guiding therapeutic treatments in livestock and food for human consumption, including the promotion of international laboratory standards and the harmonization of methods used for identification and characterization of bacterial species relevant for antimicrobial resistance and susceptibility testing. 

The consultation meeting (4 July 2024, Bishkek) aims to provide a forum for discussion and identification of common AMR laboratory capacity gaps and needs related to the Kyrgyz food and agriculture sectors and to discuss the need of a national laboratory network – its possible roles and responsibilities, and modalities of support and collaboration. 

The meeting aims to provide a platform to:
• Exchange updates on antimicrobial resistance laboratory initiatives and results in the Kyrgyz food and agriculture sectors.
• Lay down a draft framework for the National AMR Laboratory Network for the food and agriculture sectors.