IPPC gears up for the Twentieth Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures

5 February 2026, Rome. The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is preparing for the Twentieth Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-20) to discuss the state of plant health, emerging phytosanitary issues and innovative solutions in pest management. To be held on 9-13 March 2026 at the FAO headquarters in Rome, CPM-20 marks two decades of CPM’s global plant health governance, a milestone in policy-making and international collaboration to facilitate safe trade and protect the world’s plant resources. IPPC’s 185 contracting parties, regional plant protection organizations and observers are expected to attend.

CPM-20 kicks off on Monday morning with an orientation session for national plant protection organizations. A highlight of the week will be the adoption of new international standards for phytosanitary measures, including critical guidelines for keeping traded fruits free from pests like fruit flies and mealybugs.

© FAO / Alessandra Benedetti

Beyond the formal standards, the week-long meeting will feature deep dives into the African Phytosanitary Programme, the next generation of Commodity Standards and the ongoing challenge of safe sea containers. Rounding out the week is a timely science session focused on the safe provision of food and humanitarian aid — a final look at the vital work completed by the CPM focus group.

In a ground-breaking approach, CPM-20 will feature three Poster Sessions to facilitate knowledge exchange among participants, namely, 1) Successes and Challenges in Implementing the IPPC, ISPMs and CPM Recommendations; 2) International Cooperation; and 3) Innovation in Plant Health.

Following strong interest from the IPPC community on Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital solutions and smart plant health, the IPPC is organizing a first-ever Innovation Fair that will feature new modelling tools, immersive technologies and on-the-ground innovations for early pest detection and surveillance. The Fair will also feature how emerging AI technologies and digital tools will shape the efficiency of phytosanitary programs.

The Poster Sessions and the Innovation Fair will be held at the FAO Atrium during the week.

Submissions for posters on Successes and Challenges are still open until 9 February 2026. Click here for more information.

For more details on CPM-20, please visit the dedicated webpage here.

For registration: Delegates from IPPC contracting parties should complete the registration through the relevant Embassies in Rome on the Members Gateway (click here).

All invited observers and organizations shall proceed with the self-registration through link here.

Please make sure to complete your registration by Wednesday, 27 February 2026.

We kindly remind you to submit your Credentials and if you have not already done so, click here for information on how to submit credentials.