Video summary
The 2026 International Plant Protection Convention Regional Workshop serves as a pivotal gathering where global stakeholders collaborate to define the future of plant health. This event represents a critical moment in the annual calendar, offering regions a direct platform to engage with the core functions of the IPPC while allowing the Secretariat to listen to local successes and challenges. By strengthening national and regional capacities, the workshop ensures that the voices of all participants actively shape the direction of global phytosanitary work, fostering transparency through dedicated sessions on governance and strategic updates from key bodies like the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures.
A central theme of this year's proceedings is the rigorous standard-setting process, which involves extensive review of draft International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures under both first and second consultations. Specific attention is given to commodity standards for citrus fruit, Phaseolus vulgaris seeds, Malus domestica fruit, Musa fruit, and taro, emphasizing that these regulations must be grounded in robust global experience and scientific expertise. Beyond standardization, the workshop places equal importance on implementation and capacity development, featuring discussions on the IPPC ePhyto solution, the plant health campus, phytosanitary capacity evaluations, and national reporting obligations designed to help countries build resilient systems in practical and sustainable ways.
In addition to technical updates, the event highlights the value of regional exchange by addressing topics such as sea container developments, diagnostic laboratory networks, and the African phytosanitary program. Participants will have dedicated spaces to discuss regional priorities, FAO plant health activities, and initiatives led by Regional Plant Protection Organizations, ensuring that solutions are rooted in local realities rather than abstract concepts. This collaborative environment allows countries to learn from one another regarding innovation and shared challenges, while some regions will also engage in hands-on phytosanitary field activities to deepen their understanding of practical implementation issues.
Ultimately, the workshop aims to transform engagement into tangible outcomes for global food security, safe trade, and environmental protection. The organizers express gratitude to the host country, regional plant protection officers, and all participants for their commitment to safeguarding plant health through active participation and knowledge sharing. By encouraging everyone to utilize this opportunity fully, the event seeks to inspire a collective effort that not only addresses immediate regional needs but also contributes to a more secure and sustainable global agricultural landscape for the future.
Read the full video transcript
Who shapes the future of plant health?
The answer is simple.
All of you, all of us.
Colleagues, participants, it is my great
pleasure to welcome you to the 2026
International Plant Protection
Convention Regional Workshop
where you are going to shape the future.
The workshops are one of the most
important moments in our annual
calendar.
Such gatherings
are an opportunity for each region to
engage directly with the core work of
the IPPC.
It is also a valuable opportunity for
the IPPC Secretariat to listen to the
regions and gain a better understanding
of successes and challenges that you
face.
They strengthen national and regional
capacities and ensure that your voices
shape the future of global plant health.
The workshop will open with an update on
IPPC governance and strategic issues
including the work of our governing
bodies
including the Commission on
Phytosanitary Measures or CPM, the CPM
Bureau
the Standards Committee and the
Implementation and Capacity Development
Committee. During the workshop,
dedicated sessions on governance,
strategy and committee updates reflect
the IPPC Secretariat's commitment to
transparency.
This ensures that every contracting
party understands and influences the
direction of our collective work.
A major focus of this year's workshop is
the standard-setting process.
I'm pleased to see extensive time
dedicated to reviewing draft standards
or ISPMs under both first and second
consultations.
These standards include commodity
standards for citrus fruit, Phaseolus
vulgaris seeds, Malus domestica fruit
and Musa fruit, and of course taro.
These sessions are essential for
gathering regional
on draft standards under consultation.
Your feedback is vital. Standards are
only as strong as the global experience
and scientific expertise behind them. We
are science-based.
I'm also pleased to see sessions
dedicated to implementation and capacity
development.
The IPPC ePhyto solution, the plant
health campus, phytosanitary capacity
evaluations, national reporting
obligations, and regional implementation
challenges are all central to building
resilient phytosanitary systems.
These programs and innovative tools are
designed to support countries in
strengthening their national systems in
practical sustainable ways. Furthermore,
you will learn the latest developments
on IPPC's work on sea containers and
diagnostic laboratory networks through
the respective focus groups.
And of course, an update on the African
phytosanitary program.
This year, you will have a space to
discuss regional updates and topics of
interest, including FAO plant health
activities, RPPO initiatives, host
country experiences, and expert
presentations on region-specific
priorities.
This regional exchange is one of the
greatest strengths of these workshops.
It ensures that solutions are grounded
in local realities and that countries
learn from one another
in innovation and challenges.
Finally, I'm delighted that some regions
will engage in phytosanitary field
activities.
These hands-on experiences bring the
technical work of the IPPC to life and
deepen understanding of practical
implementation challenges and
opportunities.
I want to thank the organizers, the host
country, the RPPOs, and all participants
for your commitment and time to
safeguarding plant health. Your
engagement in these workshops directly
strengthens global food security,
facilitates safe trade, and protects the
environment.
I encourage you to participate actively,
share your expertise, and make full use
of the opportunity to shape the future
of plant health in your region and
beyond. I wish you a productive and
inspiring workshop. Thank you.