Be ready for the 2018 IPPC Regional Workshops!

The IPPC Secretariat started the process of coordinating the organization of the 2018 IPPC Regional Workshops since January. This year again, IPPC Regional Workshops shall be organized in the following seven regions: Africa, Asia, Latin America, Near East and North Africa, Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Southwest Pacific and the Caribbean. All IPPC contracting parties (CP) from these regions are welcome to attend these workshops. The dates and places of the 2018 IPPC Regional Workshops are posted on the IPP calendar

The three main objectives of these workshops include:

1. Strengthening capacity on how to analyze draft ISPMs and to formulate productive comments Participants will have the opportunity to learn how to provide better comments on the following draft ISPMs sent for 1st consultation: - Authorization of entities to perform phytosanitary actions (2014-002) - Revision of ISPM 8 (Determination of pest status in an area) (2009-005) - Requirements for the use of modified atmosphere treatments as phytosanitary measures (2014-006) - 2018 Amendments to ISPM 5 (Glossary of phytosanitary terms) (1994-001) Participants are expected to analyze these draft ISPMs before the workshop and prepare their country comments before attending the workshop using the IPPC Online Comment System (OCS).

In addition, discussions on general and substantive comments on standards going for second consultation, namely the requirements for fumigation treatments and the 2017 Amendments to ISPM 5 are planned to take place.

2. Building phytosanitary capacity and raising awareness on various activities of the IPPC Community

Participants will be able to build their phytosanitary capacities and learn more about the -activities of the IPPC Community by following interactive presentations, engaging in discussions and participating in exercises on:

• Implementation of ISPM 38 (International movement of seeds)
• International Year of Plant Health in 2020: updates and discussion on country and regional-level contributions
• National Reporting Obligations and Regulated Pests Lists: live demo and exercises
• Plant health and environmental protection: background on the thematic year, events and CPM recommendations with a focus on the one on invasive alien plants
• Update on the Task Force on Sea Containers
• Update on the IPPC Strategic Framework 2020-2030 and feedback from the contracting parties

3. Exchanging experiences and ideas at the regional level

Finally, these regional workshops are an occasion for all participants to exchange regional experiences. Participants are encouraged to discuss capacity development activities of FAO, RPPOs and other institutions, and learn where they can get information and provide inputs to the IPPC bodies and projects.

The organization of these IPPC Regional Workshops represents a tremendous collaborative effort. Each region has its own setting and specific requirements for arrangements and we thank all those involved in making these events a success

The workshops are organized with the generous financial support of the co-organizers and IPPC partners. However, with nowadays decreasing IPPC resources to support the regional workshops, further financial or in-kind contributions are vital and welcome. Countries or organizations interested to contribute are invited to contact Sarah Brunel, Implementation Facilitation Officer at [email protected].