The Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention IPPC) and the World Customs Organization WCO) join forces to facilitate trade whilst protecting societies from undesirable effects

Dr. Jingyuan Xia, Secretary of the International Plant Protection Convention, and Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), signed an agreement at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels on 19 June 2018 to promote cooperation on matters of common interest to help facilitate the international trade of plants and plant products in a safe and efficient manner.

The areas where the two Organizations will cooperate include, but are not limited to: Electronic Data Exchange (ePhyto), eCommerce, Sea Containers, Single Window and Communication and Advocacy. In addition, the IPPC and WCO will establish a joint work plan with specified activities focused on advancing their common goals.

The IPPC and WCO will exchange documents and publications, keeping each other informed of events and activities that may be of mutual interest. They will consult each other regularly on matters of common interest and will exchange information on new developments in their fields of activities and on relevant activities and projects. Where appropriate, they will also invite each other to participate as an observer, or as a speaker, at meetings and events.