Rome - The 19th Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-19) opened today at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) headquarters in Rome, bringing together global experts, policymakers, and stakeholders for a week of discussions on strengthening international phytosanitary standards, addressing the increasing risks posed by plant pests and diseases, and advancing digital solutions for safe trade. 

In his opening remarks, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu underscored the critical role of plant health in achieving food security, biodiversity, and sustainable agrifood systems. “Healthy plants are the foundation of productive farms and strong rural livelihoods. Yet, pests and the spread of invasive species destroy up to 40 percent of global crops, costing the global economy over $220 billion each year.”

Qu also emphasized the growing impact of shifting environmental and weather conditions, which are altering the movement of plant pests into new regions, threatening food production and ecosystems. “Harsh climate events further alter the movement of pests and diseases to new areas with more and destructive diseases that are transboudary,” he said highlighting that for this reason protecting plan health is essential for human, animal and environmental health.

Recognizing the need for greater investment in plant health, the Director-General announced that FAO has allocated an additional $500,000 in its Programme of Work and Budget for 2026-27 to strengthen the International Plant Protection Convention’s (IPPC) implementation of international standards, training, and innovation—the first  increase from the FAO Regular Budget for the IPPC in five years.

Looking ahead at CPM-19

In the coming days, CPM-19 will focus on adopting new international phytosanitary standards (ISPMs), including ISPM 46, the first commodity-specific standard aimed at ensuring safer international trade of fresh mango fruit, and ISPM 39, which provides guidance on mitigating pest risks associated with the movement of wood. These standards are expected to enhance global trade while strengthening plant health protection measures.

The Commission will also feature the launch of the IPPC Plant Health Campus, a global e-learning platform aimed at strengthening phytosanitary capacity worldwide. Developed by the IPPC, the platform will provide free, high-quality courses for national plant protection organizations and plant health professionals, equipping them with essential knowledge on pest surveillance, risk assessment, and safe trade practices.

The Director-General also added that "Protecting plant health is essential – not only for agriculture but for human, animal, and environmental health. The One Health approach ensures a holistic response, reducing pesticide use, limiting zoonotic disease risks, tackling antimicrobial resistance, and preventing environmental degradation." He reiterated FAO’s commitment to this approach, noting that the 29th Session of the FAO Committee on Agriculture (COAG) has recommended strengthening the One Health efforts and FAO’s collaboration with all key partners.

The session also featured the launch of the report “Investing in Trade Digitalization – The Case of e-Phyto”, highlighting the growing role of digital phytosanitary certification in making global trade more secure and efficient. The ePhyto Solution “has ensured that currently approximately 20 percent of international trade in plant-based products is now conducted more efficiently and securely, benefiting both exporters and importers,” the Director-General said.

Next steps

As FAO marks its 80th anniversary in October this year, CPM-19 reaffirmed the global commitment to strengthening global plant health policies and partnerships. The Director-General invited participants to engage in FAO’s upcoming First Global Exhibition “From Seeds to Foods”, a key event to kick off the World Food Forum, showcasing the agrifood value chain from genetic resources to food production.

CPM-19 will continue until 21 March 2025, with further discussions on emerging plant health threats, innovative phytosanitary measures, and global efforts to safeguard plant resources.