IPPC regional workshop for Europe and Central Asia was held successfully in Baku and Paris

The 2022 IPPC Regional workshop for Europe and Central Asia was organized in Baku, Azerbaijan with online participants connecting from Paris, France on 05-07 September 2022.

This year the workshop was held under the theme ‘’Plant Health Innovation for Food Security’’ provided another exceptional forum for participants to share ideas, enhance cooperation and work together to strengthen plant health in the region. 40 Participants from 20 countries and international and regional organizations attended the workshop in Baku and virtually from Paris.

The workshop was hosted by the Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and organized by the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization, with the support of the IPPC Secretariat and FAO Azerbaijan.

Dr Goshgar Tahmazli, Chairman of Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (NPPO of Azerbaijan), Mr Inam Karimov, Minister of Agriculture of Azerbaijan and Ms Melek Cakmak, FAO representative in Azerbaijan, together with Dr Osama El-Lissy, IPPC Secretary welcomed the participants and opened the meeting in Baku.

“It is well known that the protection of plant health assists the achievement of effective implementation of agrarian policy, ensures food security and agricultural development. In this sense, the issues to be discussed at the IPPC Regional event are of great importance” said Mr Inam Karimov, Minister of Agriculture of Azerbaijan.

‘’Azerbaijan is closely cooperating with the IPPC and actively participates in the IPPC standard setting process. It is our pleasure to host IPPC regional workshop on Baku and we look forward to cooperating together in the future.” said Mr Goshgar Tahmazli, Chairman of Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (NPPO of Azerbaijan),

“Today, citizens are more aware of the important role healthy plants play in our daily lives, and they are ready to take action for a better and more sustainable future. Globally, citizens and travelers are learning that plant health is an important cause and a shared responsibility.” said Dr Osama El-Lissy, IPPC Secretary. “Therefore, international phytosanitary standards along with preventative innovative approaches in plant health are key to avoiding costly eradication programs and emergency responses to pest outbreaks throughout all regions of the globe” he added.

For more information about the workshop, please here.