Where trade relations are intense and high volumes of goods are exchanged, plant pests can easily cross national borders.Aappearance of such invasive species in the agro-ecosystem therefore results in significant environmental and economic damage. The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), whose Secretariat is housed at FAO headquarters in Rome, offers a framework for managing and controlling the situation.

On February 22-23 FAO has organized an international meeting with high-level representatives from four countries: Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine and the host country Armenia. They have discussed IPPC governance, standard setting and effective methods of its implementation, communication and advocacy. IPPC Official Contact Points and representatives of National Plant Protection Organizations from four countries have learnt how to how to get involved and use the Convention website for country reporting.

'Promotion of exchange of experience and cooperation among the National Plant Protection Organizations of the participating countries is one of the goal of the project and a part of the long-term strategy to ensure appropriate agricultural development in the region. This regional workshop, through the provided  training will enhance capacities of Official Contact Points (OPC) and Heads of phytosanitary laboratories  who can, in turn, train their colleagues. The FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia focuses on building the capacity of phytosanitary control services in the countries and is planning  to reach a broad range of beneficiaries. This regional workshop is organized in close collaboration with Phytosanitary Inspection Department of the State Service for Food Safety of the Ministry of Agriculture of Republic of Armenia  and is one from the series of regional and national workshop under this technical cooperation Programme that are organizing in four countries. Achieving the project’s goals will mean that trade in plants and plant products will be sustained on a regional basis and consequently will be enhanced at international level. Furthermore, through the development of trade, farmers’ incomes will increase, the number of poor and food-insecure people will be reduced and new employment opportunities will be developed.' says Artur Shamilov, FAO International Plant Production and Protection Consultant, (FAO REU). 

The Ministry of Agriculture in Armenia highlights that the lack of knowledge of modern plant protection methods and phytosanitary measures in the region appear to be very serious constraints for the effectiveness of phytosanitary control services. Furthermore, the lack of capacity does not allow the country to comply with international phytosanitary obligations under the World Trade Organization Agreement on the application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO-SPS) and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).

The establishment of effective phytosanitary control systems will facilitate safe trade of agricultural commodities and will decrease significant direct losses in export markets and revenues due to lack of phytosanitary capacity, certification constraints and the constant threat of introduction and spreading of pests.