2019 IPPC Annual Report

2019 has been remarkable for the IPPC community as it marked a historical link between the IPPC Strategic Objectives for 2012–2019 and the IPPC Strategic Framework for 2020–2030. 2019 has also been crucial to getting ready for delivering the International Year of Plant Health (IYPH) in 2020. Thanks to the strong support from all relevant stakeholders, that encouraged the IPPC Secretariat to continuously improve its performance and increase its impact globally, regionally and nationally.

This report outlines ten outstanding achievements by the IPPC Secretariat in 2019:

Preparation for delivery of the IYPH in 2020. The programme to promote the IYPH 2020 was endorsed at the fourteenth session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-14 (2019)). The IYPH International Steering Committee was established by FAO. The IYPH launch event was successfully organized at FAO headquarters on 2 December 2019 combined with an exhibition on Plant Health and a reception to promote the IYPH.

Support to IPPC governing body activities. The smooth organization of all key meetings and events, in particular CPM14, was ensured. The IPPC Strategic Framework 2020–2030 and the five-year investment plan of the IPPC Secretariat for 2011–2025 were endorsed at CPM-14.

Promotion of standard setting. At CPM-14, two International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) and one CPM recommendation were adopted, and six diagnostic protocols were noted.

Enhancement of standards implementation. Six IPPC projects on implementation of the IPPC and its ISPMs were successfully carried out with a total budget of USD 1.7 million. Eight IPPC regional and national reporting obligations workshops were organized, attended by 249 participants from more than 140 contracting parties.

Development of the IPPC ePhyto Solution. The IPPC ePhyto (electronic phytosanitary certification) Hub and the Generic ePhyto National System (GeNs) were opened for full operation with over 80 countries getting on-board. Three regional ePhyto workshops were organized with the participation of 45 contracting parties. A trade facilitation innovation award was received at the UN ESCAP Asia-Pacific Trade Facilitation Forum.

Dissemination of the IPPC annual theme. A series of activities were organized to showcase the IPPC annual theme “Plant Health and Capacity Development”, including one keynote address, one special session and one side event at CPM-14, as well as one IPPC Seminar during the Strategic Planning Group meeting. The IPPC factsheet on plant health and capacity development was issued in all six FAO languages.

Promotion of communication and advocacy. The IPP structure was renewed and a revamped website launched in all six FAO languages. The IPPC visibility was substantially improved, with the number of IPPC news items increased by 12 percent, website visitors by 42 percent, Twitter followers by 74 percent and Facebook followers by 86 percent compared with the previous year.

Deepening of partnerships and liaison activities. The IPPC Secretariat established partnerships with 41 international and regional organizations, and signed joint work programmes with
the World Customs Organization for 2019–2021, and with the Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat for 2019–2020. The IPPC Secretariat together with the FAO Plant Production and Protection division jointly organized the first FAO Plant Health Team meeting during CPM-14, attended by the majority of plant protection officers from FAO regional and subregional offices.

Increase in resource mobilization. The IPPC Multi-Donor Trust Fund reached a record amount of contributions, with over USD 1.2 million received from nine contracting parties. A record amount of funding was also reached for IPPC projects, with USD 2.4 million from the European Commission DG-Trade and DG-SANTE. The IPPC in-kind contributions were over USD 1.0 million from 20 contracting parties and 18 international or regional organizations. The IPPC regular programme allotment from FAO was increased by USD 0.5 million for 2019, and 1.0 million for the 2020–2021 biennium (17 percent increase), which was the first increase in regular programme allotment for the IPPC Secretariat in a decade.

Optimization of internal management. The organizational structure of the IPPC Secretariat was further improved by formally establishing the ePhyto Group. Financial management was strengthened by initializing a biennial planning, with the drafting of the IPPC Secretariat work plan and budget for 2021. Staff professional development was supported, provide ing better chances for training, and five staff were recognized as outstanding employees of the IPPC Secretariat, with two of them recognized by FAO in the categories “100 outstanding employees” and “100 outstanding young staff”