The Red Palm Weevil (RPW) (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a key pest of palms originating from Southeast Asia. This pest has significantly expanded its geographical and host range during the last three decades.

In the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region, RPW is causing widespread damage to date palm, resulting in significant economic and environmental impact.

In the Middle-East, RPW has been the most destructive insect pest of date palm. In 2009, annual losses in the Gulf region of the Middle-East due to removal of severely infested palms has been estimated to range from 1.74 to 8.69 million USD at 1 and 5% infestation, respectively.

The International Plant Protection Convention’s (IPPC) mission is to protect cultivated and wild plants by preventing the introduction and spread of pests. IPPC’s work facilitates economic growth and trade development, enhances global food security, protects sustainable agriculture and protects the environment, forests and ecosystems. The IPPC standard setting and implementation activities are crucial components that help prevent the Red Palm Weevil from entering new countries and spreading. The IPPC operates through National and Regional Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs and RPPOs). The Near East Plant Protection Organization (NEPPO) intends to transform the challenge of preventing and managing the Red Palm Weevil into an opportunity to strengthen phytosanitary cooperation in the region.

Programme:

1. Introductory Remarks by Dr. Jingyuan Xia, the IPPC Secretary;

2. Opening Remarks by H.E. Mohammed Ahmed M. Alghamdi, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to FAO;

3. Lessons learnt from the management of the Red Palm Weevil by Dr. Michel Ferry, Scientific Director of the Phoenix Research Station, French National Institute for Agricultural Research;

4. How implementing the IPPC standards contributes to effective management of the Red Palm Weevil? by Ms. Sarah Brunel, Capacity Development Officer from the IPPC; and

5. Regional and National Perspectives of Red Palm Weevil management in Maghreb countries by Dr. Mekki Chouibani, the Executive Director of NEPPO; Dr. Fethia Helalli, from the Tunisian Plant Protection organization to present the Tunisian experience to manage Red Palm Weevil .