PRESS RELEASE: IPPC Global Workshop on Systems Approaches starts today

Santiago, Chile — 1–5 December 2025 — The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat, in collaboration with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the Agriculture and Livestock Service of Chile (SAG-Chile), and the Comité de Sanidad Vegetal del Cono Sur (COSAVE), will host the IPPC Global Workshop on Systems Approaches: Advancing Understanding and Implementation of Integrated Measures for Pest Risk Management. Systems approaches are strategies that combine multiple steps to provide strong protection against plant pests when plants or products move from one country to another.

This landmark event will bring together over 100 participants from national and regional plant protection organizations (NPPOs and RPPOs), government agencies, and industry to strengthen global capacity for safe, efficient trade in plants and plant products. The workshop will focus on international plant health standards, especially one called ISPM 14. This standard explains how to use several different measures together to reduce pest risks. Participants will learn practical tools and strategies to design, check, and apply these combined approaches.

Key Objectives:

• Deepen technical knowledge of integrated pest risk management measures.
• Share real-world case studies and lessons learned from various regions.
• Conduct hands-on exercises using IPPC Systems Approach Assessment Tools.
• Promote collaboration and dialogue to overcome implementation challenges.

Guest speakers at the opening include H.E. Ignacia Fernandez Gatica, Minister of Agriculture of Chile, as well as heads of IPPC, IICA, SAG, COSAVE and FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean.

IPPC statement, Enrico Perotti, IPPC Secretary:

“This workshop is a critical step toward harmonizing phytosanitary measures globally. The IPPC is leading the way for countries to have a common understanding of the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 14, which provides guidelines on the use of integrated measures in a systems approach for pest risk management. The objective is to safeguard food security and protect the environment by enabling countries to implement ISPM 14 and related standards, and to acquire practical experience through the use of the associated assessment tools. By advancing systems approaches, we empower countries to maintain plant health while facilitating trade that is safe, sustainable, and less restrictive”.

IICA statement, Jose Urdaz, Head of the Hemispheric Program for Agricultural Health, Safety and Quality of Agri-Foods

“The pursuit of excellence in technical cooperation constitutes one of IICA’s foremost institutional objectives, particularly within the framework of its SAIA Program. Systems Approaches that are appropriately designed, grounded in sound science, and effectively managed represent a technically robust measure that offers credible and practical alternatives for facilitating international trade. These approaches are of considerable value to countries of the Americas—supporting exporters who require measures tailored to their specific conditions and capacities, as well as importers who must preserve and protect their phytosanitary status.

“In accordance with the priorities and needs expressed by Member States, IICA provides specialized technical and managerial expertise aimed at strengthening national capacities and fostering cooperation. Through these efforts, the Institute seeks to enhance understanding of Systems Approaches and to promote their effective implementation”.

SAG statement, Oscar Camacho Inostroza, National Director:

“Chile is recognized worldwide as a major producer of fresh fruit. Among the factors that contribute to this are the following: 1) Chile's location in the Southern Hemisphere, which allows for the production of fresh fruit during the off-season with countries in the Northern Hemisphere, where important destination countries for Chilean fruit are located; 2) the existence of soil and climate conditions that allow for the production of diverse fruit species; and 3) the country's trade liberalization strategy, aimed at achieving phytosanitary approval for Chilean producers to enter different destination countries.

“In some cases, the phytosanitary requirement demanded by the importing country is based on fumigation treatment with methyl bromide, a very effective fumigant, but one that has a negative impact on human health and the environment. Additionally, this type of treatment negatively affects the post-harvest quality of fresh fruit, which in turn negatively impacts its marketing. The above implies that implementing an export alternative that avoids these problems is of interest to the producer-export sector. In this sense, implementing a fresh fruit export alternative based on a systems approach becomes a relevant option for the producer-export sector.

The implementation of these alternatives corresponds to a comprehensive approach to phytosanitary risk management that combines multiple measures throughout the production chain. These measures replace fumigation treatments (such as methyl bromide) while maintaining the phytosanitary safeguards required by the destination country. This allows for the export of the highest quality fruit to the destination country, with a longer post-harvest life, without chemicals, meeting the demands of consumers who value healthier and more sustainable products”.

COSAVE statement, Agustin Giudice, President:

“Systems approaches that integrate measures to manage phytosanitary risks are a key tool for advancing the modernization and efficiency of phytosanitary processes and represent both an opportunity and a necessity for the region. said Agustin Giudice, COSAVE President. They allow for more effective protection of our countries from the introduction and spread of pests and strengthen our phytosanitary systems in international markets, facilitating safe and sustainable trade.

The Plant Health Committee of the Southern Cone (COSAVE) is a well-established regional plant protection organization whose objective is to strengthen regional phytosanitary integration and develop integrated actions to address phytosanitary problems of common interest to its member countries. Its mission is to coordinate and increase regional capacity to prevent and manage phytosanitary risks that affect the production and market access for plant products in the region. This workshop is a strategic initiative aligned with COSAVE's main objectives”.

For more details, including the preliminary program, click here and visit the website here.

Media Contacts:

Mutya Frio
IPPC Secretariat
[email protected]

Alvaro Sepulveda
SAG Chile
[email protected]

Alejandro Saavedra
IICA
[email protected]

Beatriz Melcho
COSAVE
[email protected]

About FAO

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO’s objective is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. FAO works to transform agri-food systems by promoting sustainable production and consumption, including protecting the world’s plants to achieve global food security. FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide and has 195 members – 194 countries and the European Union. More information: Home | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

About IPPC

The IPPC is an international treaty ratified by more than 180 countries, aiming to protect the world's plant resources from the spread and introduction of pests, and promoting safe trade. International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs), developed under the auspices of the IPPC, assist countries in implementing national phytosanitary standards and import requirements. The IPPC, deposited at FAO, is the sole global standard-setting entity for plant health. More information: IPPC - International Plant Protection Convention