Strengthening Plant Health and Resilience: Highlights from CPM-19

The Nineteenth Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-19) took place from March 17 to 21, 2025, at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Headquarters in Rome. The event gathered international experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss the future of global plant health. The event included plenary sessions, side events, and technical discussions, fostering knowledge exchange among IPPC contracting parties.

The FAO regional office for NENA contributed significantly to adopting International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs), crucial for global plant health and safe trade.

During CPM-19, Mr. Thaer Yaseen, Regional Plant Protection Officer for the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region engaged with international experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss and adopt crucial International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs). These standards are vital for strengthening global plant health and facilitating safe trade practices. "Our collective efforts in adopting and implementing robust phytosanitary measures are essential for safeguarding plant health in our region, ensuring a stable and healthy food supply for its growing population, hence enhancing food security, and promoting sustainable agricultural development,” said Mr. Yaseen. "

Key highlights included the adoption of the IPPC ePhyto Solution, with 136 countries registered and over seven million ePhytos exchanged. Progress was made in developing commodity-specific ISPMs, managing e-commerce pest risks, and assessing climate change impacts on plant health. 

 The CPM-19 has approved a new draft standard titled "Safe Provision of Humanitarian Aid in the Phytosanitary Context." This standard seeks to prevent the introduction or dissemination of plant pests through relief shipments during humanitarian crises, hence safeguarding agriculture and biodiversity. 

The launch of the IPPC Plant Health Campus during the CPM-19 represented a significant advancement in global plant health capacity building, providing a complimentary digital e-learning platform for NPPOs, governmental bodies, and plant health experts. This initiative was created as part of the "Strengthening Food Control and Phytosanitary Capacities and Governance" project, funded by the European Union. This extensive educational platform aims to fortify international phytosanitary systems, improve food security, facilitate safe trade, and safeguard biodiversity.

During the session, participants engaged in fruitful discussions on critical issues related to plant health and biosecurity, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in combating plant pests and diseases. Key topics included strengthening international standards for pest risk analysis, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and enhancing capacity building for developing countries.  The session also addressed pressing plant health issues and promoted innovative solutions for managing pest risks