The first virtual meeting of the newly established FAO/IPPC Technical Working Group of the Global Action for FAW control

Rome, 30 July 2020* – Preventing new areas from the introduction and spread of the devastating Fall Armyworm (FAW) is one the three key objectives of the FAO Global Action for FAW Control. In response to the growing need within the Near East and North-Africa, South Pacific and European regions to strengthen international quarantine and phytosanitary measures against FAW, a new *FAO/IPPC Technical Working Group (TWG) on Quarantine and Phytosanitary in Relation to Trade has been established to fight this global threat to plant health and food security, and limit further spread of the pest to new areas.

This newly established working group met for the first time on Thursday, 30 July to formalize its establishment, reviewing the progress and plan for the implementation of the IPPC related pillar of the FAW Global Action. The meeting was attended by 17 participants including members of FAO/IPPC FAW-TWG and IPPC Secretariat’s FAW working group.

“Implementing the FAO Global Action for FAW Control is a historical opportunity for our global phytosanitary community to show the world how important the IPPC work on prevention is to protect plant health and food security around the world”, said the IPPC Secretary, Mr Jingyuan Xia, during his remarks. “Planning strategically, taking prompt and effective actions, and finally providing tangible and concrete results are three key principles this technical working group should pursue to make the Global Action a success”, he added.

The FAO/IPPC TWG on Phytosanitary and Quarantine in Relation to Trade is one of seven FAO technical workgroups reporting to the FAW Global Action Technical Committee, chaired by Mr Robert Bertram, Chief Scientist of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Its technical focus is on FAW prevention, preparedness, containment and monitoring at the global, regional and national level. The terms of reference and membership of the technical working group have been endorsed by the IPPC Secretary and all the participants gathered during this first meeting.

Its membership now comprises nine international experts: Mr Chris DALE (Chair and IC representative), Ms Sarah BRUNEL (Vice-chair and IPPC Secretariat representative), Mr Mekki CHOUIBANI (Near East Plant Protection Organization representative), Mr Viliami Pila KAMI (Pacific Plant Protection Organization), Mr Valerio LUCCHESI (European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization), Ms Mariangela CIAMPITTI and Mr Tek TAY (scientific/academia based technical experts), Mr Roger DAY and Ms Alison WATSON (industry/partnership based technical experts).

As highlighted by Ms Elisabetta Tagliati, Chief Technical Adviser on FAW, global coordination is essential to implement the Global Action successfully. To strengthen coordination among all parties and stakeholders involved, the FAW Technical Committee and all the seven technical working groups will operate in name of three key principles: availability, accessibility and innovation. Finally, to harmonize efforts against FAW and its devastating consequences on food security and plant health, all parties need to work hand-in-hand to leave no one behind.

For more information about this first meeting of the FAO/IPPC TWG, please visit the meeting page.