The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) hosted the Symposium on Wastewater Technologies to Address One Health Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) on Friday 14 November 2025 from 14:00 to 17:00 CET.
The event was hybrid format with online and in-person participation, it was followed by cocktail reception.
AMR poses a major global threat to human, animal, and environmental health, and AMR efforts have primarily focused on stewardship in human and animal health. Wastewater is increasingly recognized as a critical pathway and vital interface for One Health in the fight against the spread of antimicrobial resistant microorganisms and genes. The symposium will explore how innovative detection and treatment technologies can mitigate AMR risks, strengthen environmental surveillance, and support national and global efforts to operationalize the One Health approach.
The symposium aims to raise awareness on the impact of wastewater and advance global collaboration on AMR mitigation through innovation-driven solutions at the environment-health interface. It will highlight the role of innovation, intellectual property (IP), and partnerships in accelerating the adaptation and scale-up of wastewater technologies, drawing on experiences from diverse settings. It will also provide a platform for dialogue among policymakers, researchers, and international partners on how to embed wastewater interventions into AMR strategies and technology transfer initiatives.
Agenda
14:00 – 14:10 Opening Remarks and Scene Setting
- Mr. Edward Kwakwa, Assistant Director General, Global Challenges and Partnerships Sector, World Intellectual Property Organization, WIPO Focus: AMR as a global challenge, wastewater as a neglected pathway, and WIPO’s role in innovation and IP for One Health solutions.
14:10 – 14:30 Wastewater in One Health AMR Strategies
- Dr. Nada Hanna, Pharmaceutical and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Expert, UNEP Focus: Position wastewater within global AMR action (2024 UNGA Political Declaration, Quadripartite One Health Joint Plan of Action). Stress wastewater inclusion in NAPs.
14:30 – 14:50 Technology Landscape: Technologies for Detection and Treatment of AMR in Wastewater
- Mr. Siddhartha Prakash, Head Global Health, WIPO Focus: Key findings from the WIPO report – detection (qPCR, biosensors, ELISA, LC-MS) and treatment (MBRs, AOPs, biochar). Highlight opportunities and IP dimensions for scaling in LMICs.
14:50 – 15:30 Case studies: Wastewater Technologies to address One Health AMR
- Hospitals in Brazil, Dr. Ana Gales, Vice Director General, CEPID-ARIES Institute, Sao Paulo Focus: Brazil’s ReViRAE wastewater AMR surveillance; linking AMR wastewater technologies to national health policy.
- Wastewater Technologies for the removal of antimicrobials from the environment, Prof. Suraj K. Tripathy, Coordinator, Industrial Research Network, Kaliga Institute of Industrial Technology, India Focus: Showcase the effectiveness of wastewater treatment technologies for the removal of antibiotic residues
15:30 – 15:40 Q&A Session
15:40 – 16:40 Panel Discussion: Wastewater Technologies from Innovation to Implementation
Moderated by Ms. Kekeletso Kao, Program Officer, Global Challenges Division, WIPO
Panelists:
- Dr. Kate Medlicott, Sanitation and Wastewater Team Leader, WHO Focus: Wastewater Technologies for AMR Detection and Treatment
- Mr. Ramesh Govindaraj, Lead Specialist, Health, Nutrition & Population, World Bank Focus: Mainstreaming wastewater-AMR solutions in World Bank projects; opportunities for piloting in Africa/Asia.
- Ms. Tibale Nagwata, Zambia Envronmental Agency Focus: Challenges of scaling technologies in African settings.
- Prof. Yongjun Zhang, Director, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University Focus: Catalytic ozonation and biofiltration processes for the removal of pharmaceuticals and antimicrobial residues in wastewater
- Prof. Suraj K. Tripathy, Coordinator, Industrial Research Network, Kaliga Institute of Industrial Technology, India Focus: IP, licensing and technology transfer for wastewater technologies
- Mr. Amos Heng, Technology Transfer Expert, Global Health, WIPO Focus: highlight IP, licensing, and partnerships as enablers for adaptation and scale-up.
Guiding Panel Topics:
- How can LMICs adapt and test wastewater technologies?
- Opportunities embedding wastewater AMR into NAPs.
- What IP/tech transfer models can accelerate equitable access?
- Industry responsibility and smart procurement for reducing AMR pollution.
16:40 – 16:55 Q&A Session
16:55 – 17:10 Closing remarks
- Mr. Ludovic Bernaudat, Head of the Knowledge and Risk Unit, Industry and Economy Division, UNEP
- Ms. Amy Dietterich, Director, Global Challenges Division, WIPO Focus: Summarize technology lessons, highlight IP and partnership enablers, call for pilot projects and inclusion of wastewater in national AMR strategies.
17:10 – 18:30 Reception
