2019 IPPC Regional Workshop for Africa

6 September 2019, Nairobi – The 2019 IPPC Regional Workshop for Africa took place from 2 to 6 September 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya. The workshop was attended by 37 participants representing 27 IPPC Contacting Parties, as well as representatives from the FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF), the FAO Sub-regional Office for South Africa (SFS), the Inter-African Phytosanitary Council (IAPSC), the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) Bureau, the Standards Committee (SC) and the Implementation and Capacity Development Committee (IC).

Participants discussed both global and regional issues such as:

• assistance from the South African Development Community (SADC) to their member states to participate in the standard setting processes;

• pest surveillance innovations for improved data collection and diagnostic support;

• the regional implementation of International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) and guidelines: a case study of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)’s activities in its member states;

• the Beyond Compliance Global project; and

• the management of Fall Armyworm in Kenya.

A special session to raise awareness and identify national and regional needs to prevent the spread of Fusarium Tropical Race 4 (TR4) also took place.

Participants went on a field trip to Vegpro Kenya Limited in Naivasha to better understand the production chain of cut flowers and vegetables targeting different export markets. The field trip was organized by the Kenyan Phytosanitary Inspection Service (KEPHIS).

Participants urged workshop organizers to provide simultaneous translation in the future. This will eliminate the need to hold two regional workshops or divide attendees into language groups (English and French) when they discuss draft ISPMs and other issues. It will also ensure a better exchange of experiences and positions at the regional level. Representatives from the FAO regional and sub-regional offices, IAPSC, CPM Bureau, SC and IC supported this suggestion.

The workshop was organized by the IPPC Secretariat in collaboration with RAF, SFS, IAPSC and KEPHIS.

Participants agreed to hold the next regional workshop in Ghana in the first week of September 2020.

The report of the regional workshop will be available at: https://www.ippc.int/en/core-activities/capacity-development/regional-ippc-workshops/

Regional workshop presentations are available at: https://www.ippc.int/en/core-activities/capacity-development/regional-ippc-workshops/2019-ippc-regional-workshops/