Urgent communication to IPPC contracting parties regarding possible failure to convene CPM-15

On 14 December 2020, a letter was sent by the IPPC Secretariat to IPPC contracting parties on behalf of the FAO Deputy Director-General, soliciting them to consider endorsing the CPM Bureau decision to hold CPM-15 by virtual means on 16 March, 18 March and 1 April 2021, with the deadline of 30 December 2020. As the required two thirds majority was not reached by the deadline (only 98 contracting parties out of 184 endorsed the decision), considering the holiday season and upon consultation with the CPM Chairperson and FAO, the IPPC Secretariat has re-opened the poll available at the following link until 15 January 2021: https://www.ippc.int/en/news/new-schedule-and-virtual-modality-for-cpm-15-urgent-poll-for-ippc-contracting-parties/

The IPPC Secretariat would like to highlight that, in the absence of endorsement of a qualified two thirds majority by the new deadline, after failing to meet in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CPM-15 session may not be called for two consecutive years, with negative impacts for the global phytosanitary community. Thanks in advance for your prompt action.