FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS,update

 

March 2026 / Issue #53

Message from the Secretary

Dear members of the plant health community,     I am pleased to share this message following the successful Twentieth Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-20). It was an honour to host my first CPM meeting as IPPC Secretary. I extend my sincere appreciation to the CPM Bureau, the secretariat team, all contracting parties, regional plant protection organizations and partner organizations for their invaluable contributions to a productive and engaging week.    My deep gratitude also goes to the leadership and staff of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). From the strategic leadership of the Director-General, QU Dongyu and Deputy Director-General, Beth Bechdol, to the operational support of the Director of the Plant Production and Protection Division, Yurdi Yasmi, and dedication of colleagues across the division, FAO continues to be a steadfast pillar of global plant health, phytosanitary excellence and food security.    CPM once again demonstrated the strength of international cooperation, consensus-building, and forward-looking governance in plant health. The strong participation of more than 300 delegates (in person and online), including high-level leaders from Bolivia, Jamaica and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and Ambassadors from Australia and Indonesia, underscored the growing recognition of plant health as a critical policy priority.     This year’s session adopted revisions and annexes to key international standards for phytosanitary measures (ISPMs). These included ISPM 26 on pest free areas for Tephritid fruit flies—among the world’s most economically damaging groups of pests. CPM also accepted the revised text in the annex to ISPM 23 on conducting field inspections to determine the status of pests in key crop-growing areas, clarifying that the absence of testing requirements did not diminish their importance.    CPM-20 also noted significant progress in governance areas such as the establishment of oversight bodies for the IPPC ePhyto Solution and the African Phytosanitary Programme. Other initiatives demonstrated progress in enhancing phytosanitary capacity development and expanding use of digital tools for pest surveillance and trade. CPM-20 also showcased increasing innovation from IPPC contracting parties and regional partners and highlighted a growing demand for IPPC leadership on emerging issues. Notably, delegates emphasized the importance of international collaboration in mitigating the pest risk from the provision of humanitarian assistance. This issue of the newsletter provides further news and updates from CPM-20, and the full report is also available.    As CPM marks its 20th year, we reflect on two decades of global governance that helped countries respond to major pest outbreaks such as Spodoptera frugiperda (Fall Armyworm). These experiences show that only through strong global and regional cooperation can we successfully prevent and manage invasive plant pests.    Looking ahead, how can CPM shape resilient and future-ready plant health systems, particularly in a world facing rapid and emerging challenges—from climate-driven pest dynamics to the increasing complexity of global trade and the accelerating digital transformation of phytosanitary processes?    I thus echo the FAO Director General’s call for continued vigilance: “pushing the borders of science, technology and collaboration” and promoting digital systems and innovations for early warning. I therefore encourage contracting parties and partners to participate in upcoming IPPC consultations and events, and continue sharing your knowledge across the global phytosanitary community.     Together, we can ensure that the IPPC remains a strong, science-based, and collaborative framework capable of tackling today’s challenges and those that lie ahead.    Enrico Perotti IPPC Secretary   Give us your feedback

Latest news

Strengthening global plant health capacity- one impactful initiative at a time Implementation and capacity development were, once again, highlighted as major foundational pillars of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), enabling contracting parties to apply International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) effectively. During the Twentieth Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-20), in March, delegates  underscored how technical guidance, training resources and targeted project support strengthen national phytosanitary systems and improve countries‘ ability to meet their obligations under the IPPC. Read more Do no harm: Plant health experts and leaders call for the safe provision of food and other humanitarian assistance As natural disasters and emergencies intensify worldwide, experts and delegates at the science session on Fostering plant health for safe provision of food and humanitarian aid, held during the Twentieth Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-20), stressed the importance of delivering humanitarian aid rapidly, while minimizing the risk of introducing plant pests that could further undermine fragile agricultural and environmental systems. Read more Advancing plant health and safe global trade through commodity-specific phytosanitary standards The IPPC Secretariat and its Technical Panel on Commodity Standards (TPCS), have called on IPPC contracting parties to actively participate in the development of commodity and pathway-specific standards— also called next generation IPPC standards. Developed under the aegis of the TPCS, these standards aim to promote harmonized and technically justified phytosanitary measures for specific commodities, to enhance market access and safe trade in plants and plant products. Read more Are we there yet? Taking stock of progress in minimizing pest risks through the sea-container pathway Delegates at the Twentieth Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-20) side session on "Sea containers stock take to shape CPM-21 recommendations" reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration to minimize the risk of pest spread associated with the sea-container pathway. They emphasized the importance of increasing awareness and discussions on the long-term management of pest risks in this pathway.  Read more CPM-20 delegates highlight digital surveillance as key for early warning and market access in Africa At the side session on the Africa Phytosanitary Programme (APP) during the Twentieth Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures, delegates underscored the importance of effective pest surveillance for timely, accurate and reliable data for early detection and rapid response to pest outbreaks. They underlined surveillance as a strategic national tool for safeguarding plant health, upholding international phytosanitary standards and enhancing market access. Read more Global plant health leaders advance standards, innovation and digital trade at CPM 20 The Twentieth Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-20) concluded on a high note, with governments and plant health leaders reaffirming their commitment to protecting global plant resources, promoting innovations in plant health, facilitating safe trade and strengthening international cooperation and governance under the IPPC.  Read more Global plant health leaders convene for CPM‑20 to strengthen international standards, innovation and cooperation The Twentieth Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM‑20), the governing body of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), officially opened on 9 March 2026 in Rome, bringing together the plant health community to assess global efforts and strengthen international cooperation. CPM sessions are held annually as a principal forum for decision‑making on measures that protect plants and plant products.  Read more FAO Director-General addresses 20th Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures Speaking at the opening of the 20th Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM), held at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General called for greater vigilance, innovation and collaboration in responding to increasingly frequent and severe pest invasions that threaten farms, forests, livelihoods and global food security.  Healthy plants and crops are central to FAO’s efforts to transform agrifood systems to become more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable. Yet plant pests and diseases destroy up to 40 percent of global crops every year — enough food to feed billions of people.  Read more

Announcements

The adopted CPM‑20 report has been posted in English The adopted CPM‑20 report has been posted in English only and is available here:  https://www.ippc.int/en/publications/95554/. The report will be made available in all FAO languages in the coming weeks. Read more

International Day of Plant Health on 12 May 2026 Join us in the global observation of the International Day of Plant Health on 12 May 2026, with the theme “Plant Biosecurity for Food Security”. This year focuses on biosecurity as the frontline defense for food systems. By protecting our plants today, we are proactively securing the livelihoods and nutrition of billions. Read more

WTO SPS technical assistance activities for 2026 The IPPC Secretariat is pleased to inform the plant health community about the WTO SPS technical assistance (TA) activities planned for 2026 under the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement). Read more

New training videos: Africa Phytosanitary Programme (APP) The IPPC Secretariat is pleased to announce the release of four new videos under the Africa Phytosanitary Programme (APP), as part of training material to enhance pest surveillance using digital tools and harmonised survey protocols. The four videos, developed with support from the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS), are available in English, with subtitles in French. Read more

IPPC ePhyto Solution: March 2026 programme update This update covers progress in the adoption of the IPPC ePhyto Solution,  a paperless system transforming trade in plants and plant products. Todate, 100 countries are exchanging phytosanitary certificates live through the ePhyto Hub, enabling increased exports, with a 20 percent rise in average monthly exchange volumes. The update also includes an impact story from the Cook Islands. Read more

Now available: CPM-20 Trello board for NPPOs, RPPOs and partners The IPPC Secretariat created a Trello Board for national and regional plant protection organizations (NPPOs and RPPOs) and partners, featuring key messages, visual cards, and IPPC videos to boost communication and visibility for the Twentieth Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-20). Partners are encouraged to use and share these materials through their own communication channels. Read more

Now available: Report of the 2025 November meeting of the Implementation and Capacity Development Committee The report of the IPPC Implementation and Capacity Development Committee (IC) meeting held in November 2025 is now available and accessible here. Find more information about the work of the IC here, and IPPC’s implementation and capacity development work here. Read more

E-learning course on National reporting obligations - now available in Arabic The IPPC Secretariat is expanding access to its e-learning course “National reporting obligations”, now available in Arabic as “الإلتزامات الوطنية بالإبلاغ”. This e-learning course gives plant health professionals practical guidance on key concepts of pest reporting, focusing on national reporting systems and National reporting obligations (NROs) related to the reporting of pest occurrence, outbreak and spread. Read more

Latest calls

IPPC Call for Experts – Expert Working Group - Revision of ISPM 12 (Phytosanitary certificates) The IPPC Secretariat is soliciting nominations for qualified experts to take part in the Expert Working Group (EWG) for the revision of ISPM 12 (Phytosanitary certificates).  Read more

Latest publications

Now available in Chinese: Guide to participating in the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) The IPPC Secretariat is expanding access to the "Guide to participating in the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures of the International Plant Protection Convention" - now available in all FAO languages, including in Chinese as “国际植物保护公约植物检疫措施委员会参会指南”. Read more

IPPC in the news

Morocco elected vice-chair of Commission on Phytosanitary Measures  Morocco assumed the Vice-Chairmanship of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) during the recent Twentieth session of CPM, the governing body of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). Morocco's leadership reflects the Kingdom's sustained commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation aimed at protecting plant resources, facilitating safe trade and contributing to global food security.  Read more

News from community

Advancing ePhyto implementation in the Philippines A national capacity-building workshop titled “Advancing trade facilitation: Enhancing capacity on ePhyto innovations and implementation in the Philippines,” was held to advance electronic phytosanitary certification and accelerate the country’s transition toward faster, more efficient digital agricultural trade. Read more

FAO highlights Near East and North Africa priorities at the global plant health meeting The Regional Office of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for the Near East and North Africa participated in the Twentieth Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-20), highlighting regional concerns in global standard-setting and policymaking, including pest monitoring and surveillance needs and trade facilitation priorities. Read more

Lebanon advances plant health system through Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation workshop The Ministry of Agriculture of Lebanon and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Lebanon, successfully conducted the first Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation (PCE) workshop, focusing on the “Situation Analysis” phase. The workshop brought together national stakeholders and technical experts to assess and strengthen Lebanon’s phytosanitary system. Read more

Video

Safe aid in times of crisis: Protecting plant health to protect people Humanitarian aid saves lives, but it can also unintentionally carry plant pests. This video explains how plant health risks can arise during emergency aid operations and highlights key guidance from CPM Recommendation R-09 under the IPPC. Real-world examples illustrate why preparedness, coordination and phytosanitary measures remain essential, even in crisis. See video

Recap of CPM-20 From the adoption of new phytosanitary standards to breakthroughs in digital tools and innovation, CPM-20 showcased how countries are working together to strengthen plant health worldwide. Key highlights include the adoption of new ISPMs, progress under the IPPC Strategic Framework 2020–2030, and increased focus on digitalization, capacity development, and science-based solutions. Watch the highlights and see how global collaboration is making an impact. See video

In case you missed it

CPM-20 in pictures More than 300 delegates— including plant health experts, policymakers, donors and representatives of United Nations agencies and international organizations— attended the Twentieth Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-20) in person. From side session discussions on the Africa Phytosanitary Programme and Commodity Standards to  updates from the IPPC's governing bodies, the IPPC Plant Health Innovation Fair and poster sessions on practical solutions to plant pest challenges, we captured the meeting in pictures.

Flickr Album 20th Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-20) See photos FAO Digital Media Hub 20th Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-20)  See photos

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CONTACT  For more information visit: www.ippc.int or contact us at: IPPC@fao.org