G/SPS/GEN/2169  
 
10 November  2023 
(23-7593) Page: 1/7 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  
REPORT OF INTERNATIONAL PLANT PROTECTION CONVENTION (IPPC)  
TO THE SPS COMMITTEE MEETING ON 15-17 NOVEMBER  2023 
FOR THE P ERIOD : JUNE  – OCTOBER  2023 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE IPPC SECRETARIAT  
The followi ng communication, received on 9 November  2023, is being circulated at the request of 
the International Plant Protection Convention secretariat  (IPPC).  
 
_______________  
 
 
The International Plant Protection Convention ( IPPC)  is an intergovernmental treaty  signed by 
184 contracting part ies (as of May 2023), aiming to protect the world's plant resources from the 
spread and introduction of pests, and facilitate safe trade. The Convention introduced the 
development and implementation of International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs)  as 
its main tool to achieve its goals, making it the sole global standard setting organization for plant 
health.  
The IPPC is one of the "Three Sisters" reco gnized by the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Sanitary 
and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) Agreement, along with the Codex Alimentarius Commission for 
food safety standards and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) for animal health 
standards.  
1  COMM ISSION ON PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES (CPM)1 
1.1.  The next session of the CPM (CPM -18, 2024) is confirmed for 15 to 19 April 2024, at FAO 
Headquarter, Rome, Italy.  
1.2.  Several topics are to be discussed and agreed by the CPM -18, including:  
− Adoption of international standards for phytosanitary measures  (TENTATIVE. 
Pending the IPPC Standards Committee (SC) revision and approval ) 
o Draft 2022 Amendments to ISPM 5 (Glossary of phytosanitary terms)  
o Draft Annex: Criteria for evaluation of available information for determining host status 
of fruit to fruit flies to ISPM 37 (Determination of host status of fruit to fruit flies 
(Tephritidae))  
o Revision of ISPM 4 (Requirements for the establishment of pest free areas)2 
o Draft annex to ISPM 28: Cold treatment for Thaumatotibia leucotreta  on Citrus sinensis  
− Adjustments to the IPPC Standard Setting Procedure : expediting the development of 
IPPC specific commodity standards  
− CPM Recommendations  
o Sea Containers3 (for adoption)  
− Recommendations of new topics proposals to the IPPC work programme (from the 
2023 call for topics)  
 
1 CPM webpage: https://www.ippc.int/en/commission/cpm/ . 
2 The IPPC Standards Committee (SC) already recommended this draft ISPM revision for adoption at its 
May 2023 meeting.  
3 CPM Focus Group on Sea Containers: https://www.ippc.int/en/commission/cpm -focus-group -
reports/fg -on-sea-containers/ . G/SPS/GEN/2169  
 
- 2 - 
 
  − Implementation of IPPC Strategic Framework – Overarching report on the 
implementation of the eight DAIs  
o Harmonization of electronic data exchange – ePhyto funding model and procedures 
(decision to be take n on a way forward for the ePhyto sustainable funding)  
o Commodity - and Pathway - Specific ISPMs  
o Management of e -commerce and postal and courier pathways  
o Enabling the use of third -party entities  
o Strengthening pest outbreak alert and response systems  
o Assessmen t and management of climate change impacts on plant health  
o Global Phytosanitary Research Coordination - Terms of reference for the CPM Focus 
Group for CPM approval  
o Diagnostic Laboratory Networking - Terms of reference for the CPM Focus Group for CPM 
approva l 
− Update from other CPM Focus Groups  
o Safe Provisions of Food and Other Humanitarian Aid4 
− Implementation issues  
− IPPC Guides and Training Materials  
o Update on projects managed by the IPPC secretariat  
o IPPC Observatory  
o Update on the Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation  
o Update on coordination of Fusarium oxysporum  f. sp. cubense  TR4 action  
− Collaboration with Regional Plant Protection Organizations  
− Other emerging topics  
o Update on One Health and antimicrobial resistance  
o Update on Africa Phytosanitary Programme5 
o Dispute Settlement Oversight Body (terms of reference and rules of procedure)  
− (Tentative) Science Session  
− Successes and challenges in implementing the IPPC  
− Financial Report and Budget  
− Update on Communication Activities  
− External co operation  
2  COMMISSION ON PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES (CPM) BUREAU6 AND THE IPPC 
STRATEGIC PLANNING GROUP (SPG)7 
2.1.  The CPM Bureau, which guides the CPM on the strategic direction, financial and operational 
management of its activities, also discussed with the IPPC secretariat , plans for holding the next or 
eighteenth CPM (CPM -18) session in 2024. The purpose of the Strategic Planning Group (SPG), 
which  meets at least once a year, is to provide a strategic perspective to the work of the IPPC 
community and support i mprovement through the provision of recommendations and advice to the 
CPM on any issues referred to it or related to its functions.  
2.2.  Since July 2023, the CPM Bureau convened one face to face meeting in October 2023. The IPPC 
SPG took place in the same week of the October CPM Bureau. The main highlights were:  
− The CPM Bureau noted the 2023 IPPC regional workshops , held in Africa, Asia, 
the Caribbean, Europe and Central Asia, Latin America, Near East and North Africa, and 
Southwest -Pacific, and attended by representatives from 133 IPPC contracting parties. 
The regional workshops typically last three days, but it was recommended that an extra day 
be added for more discussion of regional plant health issues at the 2024 IPPC regional 
workshops ; 
− During the meeting the IPPC Secretary provided an update on the secretariat 's core work of 
standard setti ng, implementation and facilitation, integration and support, and the 
secretariat 's internal management initiatives. The initiatives are the global phytosanitary 
programme, with the pilot phase being in Africa (Africa Phytosanitary Programme -APP), 
 
4 CPM Safe Provisions of Food and Other Humanitarian Aid webpage: 
https://www.ippc.int/en/commission/cpm -focus -group -reports/fg -safe-provision -of-food-and-other -
humanitarian -aid/. 
5 IPPC Africa Phytosanitary Programme: https://www.ippc.int/en/about -app/. 
6 CPM Bureau: https://www.ippc.int/en/core -activities/governance/bureau/ . 
7 IPPC Strategic Planning Group (SPG): https://www.ippc.in t/en/commission/strategic -planning -group/ . G/SPS/GEN/2169  
 
- 3 - 
 
  the global trade support team which will provide support and timely information to 
contracting parties on trade -related international standards for phytosanitary measures 
(ISPMs), and the IPPC center of excellence – an accessible and easy -to-use consolidated 
depos itory for plant health information ; 
− The Strategic Planning Group (SPG) discussed the 35th Technical Consultation among 
regional plant protection organizations (TC -RPPOs) meeting which took place on 
24-27 October 2023 in Bogota, Colombia. It proposed some k ey issues for discussion at the 
forthcoming meeting, such as the role of plant health in the One Health approach, 
the International Day of Plant Health (IDPH)8, opportunities for enhancing coordination 
among RPPOs, and finally requested that the agenda fo r CPM -18 in 2024, includes a 
discussion on the role of RPPOs ; 
− One of the recommendations of the SPG to the CPM was for inclusion of preparations for 
IDPH as a standing agenda item at SPG and CPM Bureau meetings. IDPH is marked annually 
to raise global awar eness on the contribution of plant health to ending hunger, reducing 
poverty, protecting the environment and boosting economic development ; 
− A key topic discussed during the CPM Bureau and the SPG meetings is the essential role and 
contribution of plant hea lth in the One Health initiative. The IPPC Secretary was encouraged 
to engage FAO and other global organizations to underscore the importance of plant health 
in the context of One Health, including facilitating the submission of a paper on the topic, 
to the Eighth One Health World Congress in September 2024 and to CPM -18; 
− Discussions around ePhyto  sustainable funding ; 
− Discussed One Health and Antimicrobial Resistance (outcome of survey by the IPPC 
Observatory) ; 
− Discussed the IPPC secretariat  Banana Fusarium oxysporium  TR4 global coordination ; 
− Discuss the terms of reference for two new CPM Focus Groups on: (1) Global Research 
Coordination; (2) Laboratory Diagnostic Networking ; 
− Considered arrangements for CPM -18. 
3  IPPC OBSERVATORY9 
3.1.  The IPPC Observatory  is a system that monitors the implementation of the IPPC, ISPMs and 
CPM Recommendations, identifies challenges and best practices and provides recommendations to 
the IPPC governing and subsidiary bodies for follow -up actions.  
3.2.  The dedicated Implementation and Capacity Development Committee ( IC) Subgroup held three 
meetings in 2023 to discuss the workplan for 2023 including four priorities agreed by the IC. The 
progress of these activities is as follows:  
a) monitoring implementation of the objectives of the development agenda items of the IPPC 
Strategic Framework (2020 –2030):  
It was agreed to work on a matrix to monitor the eight development agenda items (DAI) of the IPPC 
Strategic Framework 2020 -2030 and support the Strategic Framework  programme manager who 
will be recruited to monitor its implementation.  
b) conducting the IPPC Third General Survey  
The survey questionnaire has been drafted and reviewed by the secretariat and the Subgroup and 
is pending the recruitment of a survey speciali st expected for the end of 2023.  
c) launching the survey for the e -commerce study:  
The secretariat drafted a survey and presented it to the Subgroup and to the IC Team on 
E-commerce for review. Finalizing the survey and launching it is pending the recruitment  of a survey 
specialist, who is expected to commence work before the end of 2023.  
 
8 International Day of Plant Health (IDPH): the UN general Assembly declared 12 May as the IDPH. 
More information at: https://www.fao.org/plant -health -day/en . 
9 See news item on the IPP: https://www.ippc.int/en/news/cpm -approves -transition -of-implementation -
review -and-support -system -to-the-ippc-observatory/ . G/SPS/GEN/2169  
 
- 4 - 
 
  d) launching a call of topics for surveys and studies.  
It was agreed to open the IPPC Observatory call for studies and surveys to contracting parties and 
to launch it after the  IPPC call of topics for standards and implementation. The proposal to merge 
the two calls was submitted to the Task Force on Topics starting from 2025 and to become biannual.  
3.3.  The IPPC Observatory has also conducted the first phase of the survey on AMR (An timicrobial 
Resistance) in the phytosanitary context for which the results were presented to the CPM Bureau 
and SPG (Strategic Planning Group) meetings in October 2023. The second phase on fungicides use 
is expected to be launched in 2023.  
3.4.  The IPPC Observa tory is continuing the collaboration and experience sharing within the 
Three  Sisters working group with Codex Alimentarius and WOAH (World Organization for Animal 
Health).  
3.5.  The 2024 IPPC Observatory work plan will be presented to the Implementation and Capa city 
Development Committee (IC) in November 2023 for review and approval.  
3.6.  For more information on the IPPC Observatory, you can visit the dedicated webpage , watch  
the IPPC Observatory video  or consult the IPPC Observatory Factsheet . 
4  STANDARDS COMMITTEE10 
4.1.  Since the last update of from the IPPC secretariat  to the SPS Committee in July 2023, the IPPC 
Standards Committee (SC) did not meet. During the intersessional work of the SC, in August 2023 , 
the SC on behalf of the CPM adopted two diagnostic protocols for regulated pests, as annexes to 
ISPM 27:  
− DP 32: Genus Ceratitis  
− DP 33: Mononychellus tanajoa  
4.2.  The next meeting is scheduled to 13 -17 November 2023, at FAO HQ, Rome, Italy. Th e main 
focus is to revise and approve draft ISPMs for adoption by the CPM -18 (see preceding section of this 
document). There will be other strategic topics discussions such as:  
− Discussions on a way forward regarding the topic draft Annex Design and use of systems 
approaches for phytosanitary certification of seeds (2018 -009) to ISPM 38 ( International 
movement of seeds ); 
− Discussions on the new topics proposals received from the 2023 IPPC call for topics ; 
− Adjustments to the IPPC Standard Setting Procedure, sp ecially in light to expedite the 
development of IPPC specific commodity standards.  
4.3.  More information about the IPPC SC can be found at https://www.ippc.int/en/core -
activities/standards -setting/standards -committee/ . 
4.4.  This is also to inform the WTO -SPS Committee that the Standard Setting Procedure Manual  has 
been updated for 2022 -2023 and posted on the IPP in October 2023.  
5  IMPLEMENTATION AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (IC)11 
5.1.  Since the last update of from the IPPC secretariat  to the SPS Committee in July 2023, the IPPC 
Implementation and Cap acity Development Committee (IC) did not meet. The next meeting is 
scheduled to 13 -17 November 2023, at FAO HQ, Rome, Italy.  
5.2.  The next IC meeting is scheduled to 6 to 10 November 2023, FAO HQ, Rome, Italy.  
 
10 Standards Committee: https://www.ippc.int/en/core -activities/standards -setting/standards -
committee/ . 
11 IC: https:// www.ippc.int/en/core -activities/capacity -development/capacity -development -committee/ . G/SPS/GEN/2169  
 
- 5 - 
 
  6  IPPC GUIDES AND TRAINING MATERIALS  
6.1.  One of the key a ctivities of the IC is to oversee the development of IPPC guides and training 
materials that support implementation of the IPPC and ISPMs.  
6.2.  Four new guides were published in 2023 and posted to the International Phytosanitary Portal12 
(IPP):  
− Emergency Preparedness: A guide for developing contingency plans for outbreaks of 
quarantine pests ; 
− Prevention, preparedness and response guidelines for Fusarium Tropical Race 4 (TR4) of 
banana ; 
− Guide to regulation of wood packag ing material: Understanding the phytosanitary 
requirements for the movement of wood packaging material in international trade ; and  
− E-commerce – A guide to managing the pest risk posed by goods ordered online and 
distributed through postal and courier pathways . 
6.3.  The following IPPC Guides are under development and are expected to be published in 202413: 
− Wood Packaging Material Heat Treatment Manual  (2017 -043a)  
− Wood Packaging Material Fumigation Treatment Manual  (2017 -043b)  
− Risk-based inspection of imported consignments  (2018 -022)  
− Fusarium TR4 training courses and simulation exercises  (2023 -002) 
− Preparation for CPM meetings, Revision  of existing manual and supporting materials  
(2023 -001) 
7  IPPC EPHYTO  
7.1.  An increasing number of countries are progressively transitioning from paper -based to 
digitalized phytosanitary certification system by using the IPPC ePhyto Solution that went live in 
early 2019. It has accelerated rapidly over the past years with 127 countries on board in 
September  2023 (116 in December 2022) including 84 countries actively exchanging approximately 
150,000 ePhytos monthly and 35 countries currently testing the system. As of 30 September 2003, 
about 4,4 million ePhytos had been exchanged successfully since the inception of the IPPC ePhyto 
Hub. 
7.2.  A large part of the success can be attributed to the collaborative efforts between the secretariat 
and the many partners. These part ners include first and foremost the ePhyto Steering Group and 
the United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC) who developed and continue to lead in 
developing the technical aspects and enhancements of the IPPC ePhyto Solution. Implementation 
has also been supported in some countries by Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation (GATF), 
the Industry Advisory Group (IAG) and the World Bank.  
7.3.  As regards ePhyto promotion and implementation, the IPPC secretariat  organized a "Webinar 
on the IPPC ePhyto Solut ion in African countries" on 21 June (English) and 22 June (French) 2023 
that gathered about 250 participants from NPPOs, exporters and trade -related agencies. Regional 
Plant Protection organizations or regional program (COSAVE, AU -IAPSC, OIRSA  and CAREC14) 
organized ePhyto regional workshops with support or participation of the IPPC secretariat  to promote 
and further adopt the IPPC ePhyto Solution among their member countries . 
7.4.  The main challenge is to ensure the sustainable funding of the IPPC ePhyto Solution as it has 
so far been funded through projects from the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), or 
through donations from countries. The current funding will run out in 2024, and without secure 
funding for 2025, the ePhyto Solution operation will not be able to continue. At CPM -17 (2023), 
 
12 IPPC Guides and training materials: https://www.ippc.int/en/core -activities/capacity -
development/guides -and-training -materials/ . 
13 List of Implementation and Capacity Development Topics: https://www.ippc.int/en/core -
activities/capacity -development/list -topics -ippc-implementation/list . 
14 Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation . G/SPS/GEN/2169  
 
- 6 - 
 
  the Focus Group (FG) on sustainable funding o f the IPPC ePhyto Solution presented 
recommendations for a sustainable funding mechanism.  
7.5.  Since CPM -17, the FG has continued to meet and has explored multiple options for a funding 
mechanism. In its paper prepared for the IPPC Strategic Planning Group (SPG ) held on 10 -13 October 
2023, the FG recommends that the model (1) must be able to include funding from FAO or other 
sources and, (2) should not expect contributions from contracting parties not using the ePhyto 
Solution. In addition, the IPPC secretariat  has discussed with FAO senior officers for FAO to provide 
the long -term funding necessary to operate the IPPC ePhyto Solution. Senior leaders at FAO 
recognize the e -Phyto system as an innovative and efficient system in support of the global trade of 
agricu ltural products. FAO has noted the request and plans to take it into consideration for the next 
budget cycle in 2026. To this end and due to severe budgetary constraints, FAO member countries 
will make strong interventions during FAO forums where budgets a re discussed.  
7.6.  The GeNS is currently available in English, French and Arabic and translation in Spanish and 
Russian are underway.  
7.7.  Upon its leadership, the IPPC secretariat  will continue to further promote and implement the 
IPPC ePhyto Solution among countri es. 
7.8.  More information can be found on the ePhyto webpage  on the IPP.15 
8  IPPC COMMUNICATIONS AND ADVOCACY  
8.1.  The IPPC secretariat  continued to produce communication and adv ocacy materials including 
the IPPC newsletter. Click here to know how to subscribe to it: 
https://www.ippc.int/es/news/subscribe -to-the-ippc-newsletter/ . 
8.2.  In 2023, the CPM -17 adopted the IPPC the global IPPC Communications Strategy 2023 -2030. 
The IPPC secretariat  Communications Plan which is an operationa lization of the strategy is now a 
more robust action plan aligned with the target milestones identified in the global IPPC 
Communications Strategy. The IPPC secretariat 's communication plan focuses on achieving some 
core milestones, including an Internatio nal Phytosanitary Portal (IPP) revamped with fresh content, 
creating awareness about the ISPMs and leveraging social media, regional and international events 
to promote and advocate for plant health.  
8.3.  New content are being developed and posted on the IPP, t o raise awareness and jumpstart 
conversation on phytosanitary topics and IPPC 's work programme, such as blogs on standard setting  
and implementation and capacity development . 
8.4.  The IPPC secretariat  coordinated communications and recorded media coverage for some of 
the activities at the secretariat, including the Train -the-trainer workshop of the Africa Phytosanitary 
Programme (APP) in Cairo, Egypt in September, IDPH 2023  and the international workshop on pest 
risk mitigation of sea containers and their cargoes, in Australia. Social media cards were developed 
on common pests and news articles were recorded from at least 15 news outlets for the three 
activities.  
8.5.  The IPPC se cretariat  is still doing the preparatory work in setting up a Community of Practice 
(COP) in communication which will serve as a platform for two -way flow among communication 
professionals in the secretariat, NPPOs, RPPOs and other key stakeholders. The CO P in 
communication will be an online platform for creating and sharing knowledge, sharing best practices 
and exploring opportunities for collaboration, for instance in amplifying campaigns on the 
International Day of Plant Health. A concept paper and Terms  of Reference are currently under 
development.  
 
15 ePhyto  webpage: https://www.ephytoexchange.org/landing/ . G/SPS/GEN/2169  
 
- 7 - 
 
  9  IPPC CALL FOR TOPICS: STANDARDS AND IMPLEMENTATION MATERIAL  
9.1.  As agreed by the CPM -13, a combined Call for Topics for Standards and Implementation 
resources for inclusion in the IPPC work programme was made for  the first time in 2018. The Call is 
held every two years and the last Call for Topics was issued in 2023.  
9.2.  During the 2023 Call for Topics, the IPPC secretariat  received 28 complete topic submissions 
from nine IPPC contracting parties and three regional pl ant protection organizations (RPPOs):  
− Fourteen standards, including eight topics for specific commodity standards ; 
− Three implementation resources ; and  
− Eleven diagnostic protocols (DPs) . 
9.3.  More information can be found at: https://www.ippc.int/en/calls/call -for-topics -standards -and-
implementation/ . 
9.4.  NOTE: Proposals for Phytosanitary Treatments (as annexe s to ISPM 28: Phytosanitary 
treatments for regulated pests) are solicited separately in an ongoing call for treatments . 
10  UPCOMING IP PC EVENTS  
10.1.  For more information on upcoming meetings, please check the website: 
https://www.ippc.int/en/year/calendar/ . 
11  IPPC VIDEOS AND OTHER TOOLS  
11.1.  The IPPC secretaria t wishes to share with you some tools available.  
• Video on the IPPC standard setting procedure: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8zciLFG --8 
• Video on Pest risk analy sis: Why we do it and why it is important?: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXtQ9zVUqI0&t=212s  
• e-learning course on Surveillance and reporting obligations:  
http://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=824  
• e-learning course on Pest Risk Analysis (developed in collaboration with COLEACP): 
http://training.coleacp.org/course/index.php?categoryid=208  
• IPPC Observatory Factsheet: https://www.fao.org/doc uments/card/en/c/cc1022en  
• IPPC Observatory Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tsuqqTpdAQ  
• IPPC Observatory webpage: https://www.ippc.int/en/core -activities/capacity -
development/list -topics -ippc-irss/list  
11.2.  The IPPC secretariat  would like to take this opportunity to express its sincere gratitude to the 
WTO-SPS Secretariat for the strong support and close cooperation.  
__________