IPPC Secretariat convenes three new CPM-15 approved Focus Groups

Rome, 3 September 2021. - The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat convened three new Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) Focus Groups in a series of orientation meetings held from 1 to 3 September 2021. The purpose of the three Focus Group meetings on Strategic Framework 2020-2030 Development Agenda Items, on Climate Change and Phytosanitary Issues, and on Communications was to introduce new members and orientate them to the objectives of the focus groups terms of references, and to receive IPPC background information and discussions relevant to each Focus Group specialized responsibility.

Each focus group has scheduled two additional virtual meetings in advance of the Strategic Planning Group meeting scheduled for mid-October 2021 in order to furnish and deliver supporting documentation for decision makers in the Strategic Planning Group. Discussions involved CPM focus group expected output and timelines.

Acting IPPC Secretary for daily matters, Avetik Nersisyan gave opening remarks to welcome all focus group members with encouraging words and explained how their role can further the work in promoting the cause of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) and the IPPC. Addressing the Focus Group on Strategic Framework 2020-2030 Development Agenda Items. Nersisyan said, “Your focus group will be a really important group who will come up with the clear ideas for all development agendas. If the focus group will propose some actions, of course, we have to think, from where to get resources. There will be some gaps and these gaps also should be somehow intensified from each sources and from each donors or partners, we can discuss and to see a possibility for the funding.”

Arop Deng, IPPC Integration and Support Team Lead presented background information and the IPPC community, governance, and Strategic Framework 2020 – 2030. Deng said, “I want to congratulate members of the focus group for winning the trust of their plant protection bodies and also for regional plan protection organizations and partners that nominated them for this important task here.”

Members of the IPPC Secretariat attended with support while CPM Bureau members congratulated the new Focus Group members for their nomination and selection to advance the important work on Strategic Framework 2020-2030 Development Agenda Items, Climate Change and Plant Health, and Communications.