Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations,update

April 2026 / Issue #54 Message from the Secretary Dear members of the plant health community,     Welcome to this issue of our newsletter.     As we approach this year’s International Day of Plant Health (IDPH) on 12 May, I commend you for the tireless work of protecting our plant resources from devastating plant pests and diseases. The IPPC will join the world in advancing our goal of ensuring the development and effective implementation of harmonized measures to prevent pest introductions and spread, and minimize their impacts on food security, trade, economic growth and the environment. United Nations observances are not about simply marking a date on the calendar; they are moments to refocus our attention on fundamental yet often overlooked issues.    Marking the International Day of Plant Health calls for stronger plant health systems and governance, advocacy for strategic investments, innovative solutions to address common and emerging pest threats and impactful collaboration for a resilient future.    To kickstart the 2026 IDPH celebration, we launched on 27 April an exhibition titled “Protecting maize, protecting life”, highlighting maize's central role in food security and the importance of keeping this essential crop healthy. The exhibition, at the FAO Museum and Network (MuNE) in Rome, shows how plant health affects everyday food systems, innovation and culture. Special thanks to the government of Mexico for supporting this exhibition and the Musé National d’Histoire Naturelle in Paris and the Mexican Cultural Institute for loaning it to FAO. The exhibition will run until 13 May 2026.    We will also have a high-level event at the FAO headquarters, led by FAO Director-General QU Dongyu, FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero, Permanent Representatives of Brazil, Mexico and the United States to FAO, and the Director-General of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT. The event will be livestreamed through FAO webcast. To join the event online, find more information here.     The Day will also feature an interactive plant biosecurity awareness-raising exhibition, with mock airport screening and a demonstration of FAO/IPPC’s plant protection work illustrated through the use of ISPM 15 (a global regulation requiring treatment and stamping of solid wood packaging material to prevent the spread of timber pests). Italy’s sniffer dogs trained to detect Xylella fastidiosa will also feature. This IDPH exhibition is in collaboration with the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO), European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana (ENCI).       Earlier this month, I attended the One Health Summit from 6-7 April in Lyon, France, where public and private stakeholders had international and interdisciplinary discussions to advance a shared One Health culture and drive concrete action. For the IPPC, the Summit offered a valuable high-level platform to engage decision-makers and partners to advocate for the full integration of plant health and plant biosecurity into the One Health agenda.      I also attended the 9th Informal North America Regional Conference (INARC) from 29-30 April in Washington DC, United States. We discussed the importance of practical, farmer-centered approaches to plant health, grounded in strong phytosanitary systems that facilitate trade and sustainable agricultural productivity and reaffirmed our shared commitment to cooperation in advancing development and implementation of international phytosanitary standards.    In parallel, we continued close engagement with the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) Bureau on key and urgent follow‑up actions from CPM‑20, to maintain momentum and ensure effective implementation.    As we move into May, the secretariat will convene meetings for two of the IPPC's subsidiary bodies - the Standards Committee and the Implementation and Capacity Development Committee. These meetings are central to advancing the development of international phytosanitary standards and strengthening countries’ ability to implement them effectively. Alongside these important deliberations and the International Day of Plant Health on 12 May, I encourage all partners to continue working together to put plant health at the heart of food security, trade, and environmental sustainability.    Enrico Perotti IPPC Secretary   Give us your feedback Latest news  Diagnostics: A pillar of global plant health action International plant protection and diagnostics experts at the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) Conference on Diagnostics of Plant Pests in Vienna, Austria, emphasised the importance of rapid and accurate diagnostics in strengthening surveillance systems and enabling early detection for faster, more effective response measures. They stressed the critical role of diagnostic protocols in promoting early pest detection, strengthening international cooperation and building mutual trust through transparency and shared technical standards. Read more New exhibition on the history and importance of maize opens at the FAO Museum to jumpstart plant health day Maize, a staple crop to millions, takes center stage in a new exhibition to kick off the observance of the International Day of Plant Health held on the 12th of May every year. FAO, through the IPPC, launched the exhibition on the history of maize and the importance of protecting this “golden grain” from pests and diseases. Opened on 27 April at the FAO Museum and Networks (MuNE) in Rome, the exhibition, titled “Protecting maize, protecting life”, explores the deep cultural roots, global significance and the prevailing pest threats facing maize. Read more Malawi strengthens plant health systems through digital innovation under the Africa Phytosanitary Programme Plant pests threaten food security and agricultural trade in Malawi, undermining its competitiveness in regional and global markets. These risks are intensified by climate change—through cyclones, erratic rainfall, floods, and droughts and by reliance on paper-based phytosanitary surveillance systems, which hinder timely detection, data collection, analysis, and response to pest outbreaks. To address these challenges, the Government of Malawi, with support from FAO and the IPPC, has launched the Africa Phytosanitary Programme, an initiative aimed at strengthening the resilience of phytosanitary systems across the continent. Read more Announcements  Vacancy: Office Assistant – Integration and Support Team, IPPC Secretariat The IPPC Secretariat seeks to hire an Office Assistant in its Integration and Support Team, based at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. This is a locally recruited, fixed-term position (one year, with possibility of extension) supporting the day-to-day administrative and coordination work in governance, planning, communications, and coordination of the IPPC Secretariat. Deadline: 08 May 2026. Read more Out now: New training videos with Arabic and French subtitles The IPPC Secretariat is pleased to announce the release of language versions of four training videos under the Africa Phytosanitary Programme (APP). Developed as part of training material to enhance pest surveillance using digital tools and harmonised survey protocols, the videos are now available with subtitles in Arabic and French. Click the relevant language below to access the videos. Read more Out now: Standards adopted by CPM-20 are now available in English The IPPC Secretariat is pleased to inform the plant health community that the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) and relevant annexes, which were adopted by the 20th Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-20) in March 2026, are now available on the IPPC website. Currently available only in English, the standards will also be availed in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish (FAO languages) in the coming weeks. Read more Now in Spanish: Mobilizing resources for plant Health e-learning course Resource mobilization is a key aspect of building strong and sustainable phytosanitary systems. Now, the learning tools to do it are available in Spanish. The IPPC Plant Health Campus course “Mobilizing resources for plant health” is now available in Spanish, joining existing versions in English and French. Read more Now available in Russian: e-learning course on “Achieving market access for plants and plant products” As the IPPC Plant Health Campus grows and expands its multilingual offer of e-learning courses and training materials, this marks the first course available in Russian as “Получение доступа на рынок для растений и растительных продуктов”. Read more 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 Latest calls Call for discussion papers - Diagnostic Laboratory Networking The IPPC Secretariat is calling for discussion papers in preparation for the first meeting of the Focus Group on Diagnostic Laboratory Networking, which will take place from 1-5 June 2026 in Paris, France. Read more Latest publications Out now: New edition of the IPPC Style guide The IPPC Secretariat is pleased to announce the release of an updated version of the IPPC Style guide. Intended as a practical manual for all experts and FAO personnel engaged in the production of IPPC documents, it provides comprehensive guidelines for drafting, structuring, editing and publishing documents such as standards, meeting documents, guides and advocacy materials.  Read more IPPC in the news   Malawi launches digital programme to strengthen fight against crop pests The Government of Malawi has officially launched the Africa Phytosanitary Programme (APP), marking a key step towards modernising pest and disease surveillance in the country’s agriculture sector. Read more Malawi launches continental agricultural pest surveillance programme The Government of Malawi has officially launched Phase Two of the Africa Phytosanitary Programme to improve pest and disease surveillance in the agriculture sector. The launch event took place in Salima. Read more News from community KEPHIS and stakeholders to host the International Phytosanitary and Seed Conference in September 2026 The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and stakeholders will host the International Phytosanitary and Seed Conference from 14-17 September 2026. With about 350 participants expected, the conference will serve as a platform for advancing global and regional cooperation on seed and plant health matters. Read more Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation and Liberia’s Plant and Animal Quarantine Services launch project to streamline agricultural trade The Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation and the Plant and Animal Quarantine Services of Liberia have launched a new project to support the digitalisation of phytosanitary certification by introducing the IPPC ePhyto Solution. Read more Video Plant health and safe trade With the rise of technological advancements, the integration of IT-supported solutions such as ePhyto and e-commerce has become crucial in ensuring the smooth flow of trade while mitigating risks to plant health. This video highlights the key role of these innovations in promoting sustainable trade practices while ensuring the health and safety of plants 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 SPOTLIGHT: Dominican Republic leads with One Health innovation to safeguard food security As an island nation deeply reliant on agriculture and tourism, the Dominican Republic faces unique risks from the introduction and spread of plant pests. These threats—intensified by global trade, tourism, and climate change—can jeopardize key crops such as plantains, beans, and fresh fruits, with direct consequences for food security, livelihoods, and public health. Read more 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 International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). Through real-world examples, it shows why preparedness, coordination and phytosanitary measures remain essential, even in times of crisis. Protecting plant health supports food security, livelihoods and recovery, ensuring that life-saving assistance does not create new risks. See video 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 last week on a high, with governments and plant health leaders reaffirming their commitment to protect global plant resources, facilitate safe trade and strengthen international cooperation under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). With more than 300 registered delegates attending in person, CPM-20 provided updates from governing bodies, discussed progress on the IPPC Strategic Framework 2020-2030, and deliberated on emerging phytosanitary issues. Read more Follow us on: See online version CONTACT  For more information visit: www.ippc.int or contact us at: IPPC@fao.org © FAO, 2026