Director's corner
April 2026
Implementation and capacity development were, once again, highlighted as major foundational pillars of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), enabling contracting parties to apply International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) effectively. During the Twentieth Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-20), in March, delegates commended the efforts of the IPPC's Implementation and Capacity Development Committee (IC) and the Implementation and Facilitation Unit (IFU) in expanding production and access to implementation and capacity development resources. CPM underscored how technical guidance, training resources and targeted project support strengthen national phytosanitary systems and improve countries‘ ability to meet their obligations under the IPPC.
CPM acknowledged the rapid growth of the IPPC Plant Health Campus, and the increasing need for accessible learning tools to support implementation. Launched during CPM-19 in 2025, the Campus offers free e-learning courses, guides and technical resources on various phytosanitary topics. To date, more than 25 000 learners have used the platform, with the highest number from Africa (48 percent), and Asia (29 percent), highlighting its global relevance. The Campus currently offers 14 e-learning courses and 25 practical guides in English and is now available in French, with Spanish coming soon. New courses have been released in Arabic and Russian. To expand multilingual access, the IPPC Secretariat encourages in-kind contributions to help translate materials in Arabic, Chinese and Russian. Future e-learning courses include the IPPC ePhyto Solution.
Strengthening emergency preparedness
CPM also commended the introduction of the online: Pest emergency simulation: prevent, prepare, respond, noting its importance amid rising pest outbreaks intensified by rapid trade, travel and climate change. Delegates, however, emphasized the need for additional simulation exercises to strengthen countries’ coordination and readiness for cross-border pest emergencies.
Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluations a catalyst of investment and institutional reform
A major milestone was the continued implementation of Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluations (PCE) for reforms and stronger national phytosanitary systems. Delegates recognized PCE for helping countries assess their entire national phytosanitary systems, identifying systemic gaps and determining possible solutions. Thanks to successful PCEs, commendable progress was reported in several countries, including Uganda, which mobilized EUR 8 million from the European Commission and USD 5.5 million from its national budget. Rwanda on the other hand received USD 200 000 from TradeMark Africa while Ethiopia mobilized USD 1 million from the Standards and Trade Development Facility, for its PCE process. Additionally, eight countries in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region completed bankable project proposals based on PCE outcomes, covering legislation, diagnostics, surveillance, export systems and institutional strengthening. Mali also formulated a National Phytosanitary Capacity Strategy and is currently looking for donors to advance its phytosanitary priorities.
Looking ahead, CPM recognized the ongoing demand for PCE support and discussed plans for modernizing the PCE online platform, including revised modules, a stronger network of facilitators, and enriched technical content.
Monitoring and evaluating implementation of ISPMs through the IPPC Observatory
CPM also reviewed the IPPC Observatory's 2025 progress and endorsed its 2026 work plan, including leading the final evaluation of the IPPC Strategic Framework in 2027. A third IPPC General Survey will be launched later in 2026, with financial support from the Republic of Korea and additional capacity from a survey specialist and a programme manager.
Rethinking ISPMs
CPM acknowledged progress in implementation and capacity development but also focused on the need to rethink the ISPMs. Contracting parties agreed on concrete steps to make the standards clearer, more usable and easier to implement, while maintaining scientific rigor and technical accuracy. To address this, the IC and IFU will undertake an IPPC Observatory study to identify countries’ needs and recommend improvements to strengthen effective implementation.
Development Agenda Items
The IFU and IC also reported strong progress across five Development Agenda Items (DAIs) in the IPPC Strategic Framework 2020–2030. These DAIs target some of the most pressing capacity needs globally, including climate change and phytosanitary issues; harmonization of electronic data exchange; E-commerce and postal pathways; strengthening pest outbreak alert and response systems and guidelines for the use of third-party entities.
Going forward
As contracting parties continue to face increasing phytosanitary challenges, capacity development remains one of the most powerful levers for safeguarding plant health, enabling safe trade, protecting food security and the environment. It is essential that the IPPC community collaborates more effectively to strengthen governance frameworks needed to implement the ISPMs.
Director FAO North America
