The 2019 mid-year meeting of the IPPC Secretariat: reviewing key achievements and future plans

The IPPC Secretariat reviewed key achievements for the first half of 2019 and plans for the next semester at their mid-year meeting. © FAO

2 July 2019, Rome - The 2019 mid-year meeting of the IPPC Secretariat was held at FAO Headquarters in Rome. The meeting was chaired by IPPC Secretary Mr Jingyuan Xia, and attended by all Secretariat staff. Following the briefing from unit (team, task force and group) leaders, Mr Xia highlighted key achievements for the first semester and the core activities for the second semester of 2019. The meeting ended with a lively discussion on how to promote and maximize the benefits of the IYPH in 2020 which will be covered in a separate news article.

Key achievements for the first half of 2019

In terms of governance, the IPPC Strategic Framework for 2020-2030 was approved and the related IPPC five-year investment plan was endorsed by the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-14).

In terms of standards, two new international standards - Requirements for the use of Fumigation as a phytosanitary measure and 2017 amendments to ISPM 5 (Glossary of phytosanitary terms) - were adopted. Six diagnostic protocols (DPs) were noted by CPM-14. Four draft standards were approved for second consultations; and the overarching concept for commodity standards was drafted.

Regarding implementation, four IPPC projects are ongoing: the Beyond compliance project supported by STDF, the third cycle of the Implementation and Review and Support System (IRSS) supported by the EU, The IPPC-China South South Cooperation project on capacity development, and an ePhyto-related project supported by Japan.

In terms of the IPPC ePhyto Solution, efforts to promote electronic certification paid off with 34 countries registered on the ePhyto hub. The IPPC Generic ePhyto National System (GeNs) was successfully piloted and three countries are using it.

Concerning the International Year of Plant Health 2020, the IYPH programme was endorsed by CPM-14 and the new IYPH international steering committee was established.

Core activities for the second half of 2019

• Completing all preparations for activities to promote the IYPH - including launch events at FAO and New York in December 2019.
• Strengthening innovative work on commodity and pathway standards, as well as emerging pest response and alarm systems.
• Organizing seven IPPC Regional Workshops, and three IPPC regional workshops on the IPPC ePhyto solution.
• Finalising the new IPP website, and all relevant advocacy materials including information on IYPH in six UN languages to be issued in early 2020.
• Conducting a series of activities to promote the professional development of the IPPC Secretariat such as training in writing and speaking.

The IPPC Secretariat at their 2019 annual mid-year meeting. © FAO