A proud legacy, a shared future
As the Fleming Fund draws to a close, the team at the UK Department of Health and Social Care reflects with immense pride on what has been achieved together with their partners around the world.
Since its inception, the Fleming Fund has supported countries to build the foundations of a global response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) ─ strengthening laboratory capacity, developing national surveillance systems, and generating the high-quality data needed to understand and act on this growing threat. Through a One Health approach, spanning human, animal and environmental health, the Fund has helped embed AMR surveillance within national systems and supported countries to develop and deliver their own National Action Plans.
Together, we have trained thousands of health professionals, strengthened hundreds of laboratories, and supported the development and sharing of AMR data at national, regional and global levels. This has contributed to stronger health systems, improved policymaking, and greater global collaboration in tackling drug resistance.
Voices from the Fleming Fund community
These achievements would not have been possible without the dedication, expertise and collaboration of governments, delivery partners, multilateral organisations, technical experts and the vibrant community of Fleming Fellows. You have not only delivered a programme—you have helped build a global movement.
It has been a pleasure and honour to be part of the Fleming Fund over the last decade. I am incredibly proud of the role that the programme has played in raising awareness of AMR and supporting countries to take steps to address this deadly threat. Undertaking sustainability visits to partner countries over the last year has been tough but has also been a fantastic opportunity to see the progress that has been made. Although the programme has closed, it has been heartening to know that much of this good work will continue in some way thanks to the expertise and dedication of the excellent people tackling AMR on the ground.
Holly Rhyner Jones, Former Head of the Fleming Fund
During my time working on the Fleming Fund, I never ceased to be amazed, proud and grateful for the incredible people who I got to work alongside. The programme, at every level, and in every country, had incredibly dedicated, knowledgeable and kind individuals working really hard to deliver the best possible results. It was such a joy in my role as MEL lead to bring many of you together to share your expertise and to ensure that your learnings have been captured as part of programme closure. Thank you for helping to ensure that we leave an incredible Fleming Fund legacy for others to build on.
Milena Mulhen, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning and Fellowships Lead
I was honoured to work on the Fleming Fund for seven years, driven by the energy of the AMR community, the constant challenges, and the chance to see real global impact. I’m hopeful. The Fund has helped make AMR ‘the silent pandemic’ visible. Now the AMR community is turning to tackle this problem at its heart, using every tool we have.
Tom Pilcher, Former Head of the Fleming Fund
I am most proud of the collective effort and collaboration I witnessed across the Fleming Fund community, the inspiring people I’ve worked alongside, and the lasting legacy that has been built together in the fight against AMR.
Jenny Woodruff, Policy and Programme Officer
I am most proud of the working relationships built with partners ─ without these we would not have achieved as much as the programme did.
Mwaanga Kayuma, Global Partnerships Lead
What I fondly remember most is the deep expertise across the country and regional grants, and the appetite to work scientifically, politically and in other ways to transform the world’s ability to tackle drug-resistant infections. It was the country-level effort ─ going above and beyond to innovate ─ that was always so remarkable and refreshing.
Josh Adams, AMR Partnerships Lead
I have been deeply impressed by the dedication of everyone who contributed to the Fleming Fund ─ so many going above and beyond to play their part in the fight against AMR. It has been a privilege to visit partner countries and see first-hand the impact the programme has had, as well as the passion and commitment of those working on AMR at every level. I am proud to have played even a small part in this important work.
Jemima Clarke, Policy and Programme Manager
It has been a pleasure working closely with partners across the world over the last six years on the Fleming Fund programme. The difference we have made on AMR surveillance and One Health is truly remarkable, and the knowledge gained will serve as a foundation for many others to follow. I would like to thank the Mott MacDonald team and all delivery partners for their hard work and dedication ─ I am sure that great things await you all, and our paths will surely cross again.
Akin Gandonu, Policy and Programme Officer
Looking ahead
While the Fleming Fund is closing, the challenge of AMR is far from over. Drug-resistant infections remain one of the most significant threats to global health. Recent estimates suggest antimicrobial resistance could be responsible for around 40 million deaths globally between 2025 and 2050 unless sustained action is taken.
The legacy of the Fleming Fund must therefore be a starting, not an endpoint.
We call on all AMR stakeholders ─ governments, funders, researchers, practitioners and partners ─ to sustain and build on the progress made. Continued investment in surveillance, laboratory systems, workforce capacity and the use of data will be critical to protecting the gains achieved and accelerating action.
The UK Government remains firmly committed to tackling AMR and to delivering on the commitments set out at the UN High-Level Meeting on AMR in 2024. We will continue to work in close collaboration with our partners around the world to strengthen global responses and ensure AMR remains a priority on the international agenda.
Together, we have laid the foundations. Now, together, we must carry this work forward.
1. Source: Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (GRAM) Project, published in The Lancet (2024).
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