Strengthening Cooperation between the Secretariats of the IPPC and the CBD: Signature of a joint work plan

Caption: Ms Cristiana Pasca Palmer, Executive Secretary of the CBD, and Mr Jingyuan Xia, Secretary of the IPPC.

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) share the common objective of protecting biodiversity. Recognizing the importance of ensuring coherence and mutual support in the implementation of both Conventions, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Secretariat of the CBD had signed a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Secretariat of the IPPC and the Secretariat of the CBD in 2004.

To further strengthen cooperation between the two Secretariats, a joint work plan for both Convention (2017-2018) was developed and discussed in depth. In occasion of the twelfth meeting of the Liaison Group of Biodiversity-related Conventions held in Rome, Italy, on 28 September 2017, the joint work plan for cooperation between the two Conventions was signed by the Executive Secretary of the CBD, Ms Cristiana Pasca Palmer, and the Secretary of the IPPC, Mr Jingyuan Xia.

This joint work plan identifies major activities to be undertaken in 2017 and 2018 and constitutes a key achievement in order to help address challenges faced by both Conventions. The major activities for cooperation covers 1) Participation in Governing Body Meetings; 2) Global Taxonomy Initiative Training; 3) Comparison of Terms Used in the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, the Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms, and Other Relevant Instruments; 4) Expert meetings regarding e-commerce; and Promotion of partnership and communication.

The progress made in the implementation of the joint work plan will be reviewed in 2018 and a revised work plan will be prepared, as appropriate, for the next biennium (2019-2020).