STDF Working Group Convenes in Geneva to discuss new Strategy and Project Approvals

Geneva, 13 November 2024 – The Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) Working Group met 6-7 November, at the World Trade Organization Headquarters in Geneva, advancing the STDF’s strategic goals and operational plans to strengthen global Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards (SPS) to facilitate safe trade. The meeting, chaired by Sarah Brunel, Head of the Implementation and Facilitation Unit at the IPPC Secretariat and Chairperson of the STDF Working Group in 2024 in collaboration with Marlynne Hopper, acting lead of the STDF Secretariat, gathered STDF founding partners, donors, and international members for two days of focused dialogue and key decision-making.

The 2025-2030 STDF strategy, developed through several virtual and in-person stakeholder consultations, was a focal point of discussion. This strategy aims to facilitate safe trade through increased and sustained SPS capacity of public and private sector stakeholders in developing countries. A revised draft was shared for further brainstorming that will shape the next iteration of the strategy. The official strategy release is expected in early 2025.

“The aim with this new strategy is to support resilient and inclusive trade systems that not only meet safety and quality standards but also leverage regional strengths, innovation and public private partnership for impactful work,” said Sarah Brunel, Chair of the Working Group. “This approach will help unlock sustainable solutions in plant health, animal health, and food safety that address real needs on the ground.”

The Working Group also reviewed and approved a set of new Project Preparation Grants (PPGs). Two notable PPGs on phytosanitary improvements were approved, with a focus to scale phytosanitary capacity and increase market access in Africa and promote Market Access in the Cashew Nut Value Chain in Cambodia and Viet Nam. Additionally, the Group approved a Project Grant (PG) to improve vegetable export practices in Bangladesh. IPPC’s training materials and e-learning resources received the attention of the Working Group and will be integrated into these projects' capacity-building activities.

The Working Group emphasized STDF’s expanding knowledge initiatives, including a forthcoming Public Private Partnership (PPP) guide, expected to be released by the end of 2024, an action plan for addressing climate-related impacts in SPS standards, and advancements in SPS electronic certification (eCert). These resources are expected to help member countries strengthen their agricultural trade and manage cross-cutting challenges.

Efforts to mainstream gender into STDF's work, in line with the Gender Action Plan, continues to be an area of focus for the Working Group with wide support. Since the last Working Group meeting in June, gender analyses have started for five STDF projects and the preliminary results shared during the Working Group show the need for more capacity building among stakeholders for better gender mainstreaming in implementation. The IPPC Secretariat updates the Working Group on gender inclusion in the Phytosanitary capacity Evaluation, through the support of the FAO Gender Team, through a project funded by the European Commission.

The Working Group also took the opportunity to acknowledge 20 years of successes of STDF, key results summarized in the most recent STDF Annual report. The anniversary has also been marked with a picture exhibition featuring beneficiaries, highlighting tangible outcomes of STDF-led projects.

For more information on STDF please see here.