IPPC Governance and Strategy: Moving from Policy to action

Rome 5 April 2022– The Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) heard several updates from subsidiary bodies such as the Strategic Planning Group, Bureau and various focus groups, as well as others to launch future International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) actions.  The governance and strategy session began with the summary report of the 2021 Strategic Planning Group followed by a discussion about the role of the CPM Bureau and IPPC Secretariat during times of emergencies or crises.  CPM-16 authorized the CPM Bureau to operate on its behalf until CPM-17 (2023) given the persistent covid-19 situation.    

The CPM-16 endorsed the updated framework for standards and implementation after discussions.    CPM-16 adopted the IPPC Dispute Settlement Procedure revisions that now replace all prior IPPC Dispute Settlement Procedures.  In addition, CPM agreed that the Dispute Settlement Oversight be fulfilled by the CPM Bureau until a long-term body has been instituted. 

From the IPPC Secretariat update and discussions on Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) One Health, CPM-16 considered that the IPPC Secretariat will continue monitoring, participating and reporting back to the Bureau and the Strategic Planning Group.  One Health is an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, plants, and ecosystems. It recognizes that the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, soil, and the wider environment (including ecosystems) are linked and interdependent.  The CPM-16 adopted the revised implementation and Capacity Development Committee Terms of Reference and Rules of Procedure, as well as recommendations from the Task Force on Topics from the IPPC 2021 Call for Topics: Standards and Implementation.  

Presenting the focus group report, Peter Thomson, Chairperson for the CPM Focus Group on the implementation of the Strategic Framework 2020-2030 Development Agenda items requested CPM-16 to endorse the focus group to enable it to continue operating until the overarching and integrated implementation plan has been developed and approved by the CPM. 

Updating the CPM Focus Group on Climate Change and Phytosanitary issues, Chris Dale, the focus group Chairperson presented the action plan for the next 4 years, including funding and resources necessary.  The CPM-16 considered the update and approved the 2022-2025 Action Plan for the implementation of the development agenda item “Assessment and Management of Climate Change Impacts on Plant Health”. 

The CPM Focus Group on Communications, Chairperson, Lihong ZHU, gave the focus group update. The CPM -16 took note of the report and encouraged the National Plant Protection Organizations and Regional Plant Protection Organizations to contribute to the strategy through focus group members. The CPM also encouraged a representative from the North American region to be nominated to join the focus group. and agreed to postpone the adoption of the IPPC Communication Strategy until CPM-17 (2023). 

CPM-16 recommended that the activities for the Focus Group on Sea Containers be given priority and resolved to quickly establish the CPM Focus Group on Sea Containers.