The First IPPC/CIHEAM Training Course on 'Developing Phytosanitary Capacities'

The 1st IPPC/CIHEAM Training Course on Developing Phytosanitary Capacities was held 23-27 November 2015 at the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari (CIHEAM-IAM Bari), Italy. Fifteen students from the Mediterranean region participated in the Master 1 course on Integrated Pest Management from the Mediterranean region as the course was open to NPPOs from the Mediterranean region. The IPPC Secretariat delivered a series of courses on the recent resources developed by the IPPC Capacity Development team which were manuals on: Establishing a NPPO, Operation of a NPPO, Managing relationships with stakeholders, etc.

In addition, general presentations on the IPPC, the ISPMs and the activities of NPPOs alternated with interactive exercises. It is anticipated that cooperation on this training course will increase in future. This initiative fits very well into the new strategic partnership signed on the 23rd of October 2015 between FAO and CIHEAM aiming at strengthening the livelihoods of rural communities in the Mediterranean region.