Global plant health leaders advance standards, innovation and digital trade at CPM 20

Rome, 17 March 2026 – The Twentieth Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM 20) concluded last week on a high, with governments and plant health leaders reaffirming their commitment to protect global plant resources, facilitate safe trade and strengthen international cooperation under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).

With more than 300 registered delegates attending in person, CPM-20 provided updates from governing bodies, discussed progress on the IPPC Strategic Framework 2020-2030, and deliberated on emerging phytosanitary issues.

FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu upheld the shared work of CPM and FAO in contributing to the FAO Four Betters and called on delegates to be vigilant and harness innovation as international trade expands and the risk of plant pests moving across borders increases. FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol emphasized that plant health is a strategic policy priority which underpins food security and economic resilience, and facilitates innovation that reaches farmers. Against this backdrop, the IPPC Plant Health Innovation Fair and poster sessions held at FAO showcased practical solutions, research and partnerships aimed at strengthening phytosanitary systems worldwide.

FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol opens the IPPC Plant Health Innovation Fair held at the sidelines of CPM-20. © FAO / Giuseppe Carotenuto

Adopted standards

The CPM adopted technical improvements to the text of the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 26 on pest free areas for Tephritid fruit flies. CPM also accepted the revised text on Field inspection annex to ISPM 23, which clarified its scope while confirming that the absence of testing requirements did not diminish their importance.

In addition, CPM adopted revisions to annexes of ISPM 28 on Phytosanitary treatments for regulated pests, particularly irradiation treatment for Planococcus lilacinus, Paracoccus marginatus and Pseudococcus baliteus. The CPM-20 also noted the adoption by the Standards Committee on behalf of the CPM of the two diagnostic protocols (DPs) as annexes to ISPM 27, namely DP 35 for Meloidogyne mali and DP 36 for Genus Pospiviroid.

Plant health in the safe provision of food and humanitarian aid

The CPM20 Science Session highlighted the “do no harm” principle and the importance of preparedness, coordination and strong phytosanitary systems in humanitarian aid. Speakers from governments, FAO, Codex Alimentarius and regional bodies emphasized that phytosanitary measures protect food security rather than hinder aid, calling for continued international cooperation and progress toward an ISPM on safe aid, highlighting that ISPMs are not impediments but rather enablers of food security.

Africa Phytosanitary Programme

The CPM received an update on the Africa Phytosanitary Programme (APP), noting the successful pilot phase, the launch of Phase 2 and progress in national training workshops, survey tools and integration with FAO and IPPC activities. While welcoming funding received to date, the IPPC Secretariat highlighted the need for additional resources to support Phase 3 and outlined plans to transition the programme toward regional ownership and eventual global rollout. The CPM discussed governance options and agreed to establish a hybrid governance model, combining an APP Steering Group with existing working groups. Delegates also raised concerns about equitable participation for smaller countries, emphasized the importance of keeping APP tools accessible to all contracting parties, and expressed appreciation to donors and partners supporting the programme.

Key decisions made on the Development Agenda Items included:

1. Harmonization of electronic data exchange. The CPM noted the continued expansion of the IPPC ePhyto Solution as a critical global trade asset, with 148 countries registered since its inception in 2018, and around 250 000 certificates being exchanged monthly. CPM also agreed on governance and sustainability measures, adopting a change management process for standardized digital declarations and revised terms of reference for a new ePhyto governing body to provide strategic oversight and review funding models.
2. Commodity and Pathway Specific ISPMs. The CPM noted progress on draft commodity standards under ISPM 46 while addressing concerns about misuse and the inclusion of pests with weak pathway links, stressing the need for strong technical justification and existing safeguards. It also agreed to retain work on fresh orange standards pending adoption of a broader citrus standard and endorsed a joint IPPC – APPPC global workshop on commodity standards in 2027, encouraging continued engagement by contracting parties.
3. Management of E commerce and Postal and Courier Pathways. The CPM agreed to launch Phase 2 (2026–2030) of the Management of E commerce and Postal and Courier Pathways, citing the growing phytosanitary risks linked to e commerce trade, and approved the proposed roadmap while encouraging action on the IPPC Observatory’s recommendations at national and regional levels.
4. Guidance for the Use of Third Party Entities. The CPM noted progress on two planned IPPC guides on the use of third party entities – covering authorization and audit in a phytosanitary context – with work underway on the audit guide following a call for experts. The CPM welcomed financial support from Australia and Canada and encouraged contracting parties to engage in the upcoming call for experts in 2026.
5. Pest Outbreak and Alert Response System (POARS). Work has advanced from pilot to operational implementation, with progress including the 2025 assessment of emerging pests, new Global Pest Alerts and monthly reporting, and stronger links with initiatives such as the Africa Phytosanitary Programme. The CPM welcomed the transition to a new steering group with an expanded mandate, encouraged pest nominations by contracting parties, and noted that future POARS activities will depend on sustainable funding.
6. Climate Change and Phytosanitary Issues. CPM 20 marked the conclusion of the focus group’s mandate, following delivery of key outputs including webinars, technical factsheets and recommendations on integrating climate change into pest risk analysis. The CPM endorsed embedding climate related work into the IPPC Secretariat’s regular programmes, requested wider access to the group’s materials, and asked for a clear integration plan to be presented to the Strategic Planning Group in 2026 and at CPM 21.
7. Global Phytosanitary Research Coordination. The focus group reported on a scoping study mapping existing research networks and identifying gaps in global phytosanitary research coordination. Despite suggestions to explore lower cost alternatives, the CPM agreed to extend the group’s mandate to finalize a proposal for a global policy and research framework and develop an implementation plan through CPM 21 (2027).
8. Diagnostic Laboratory Networking. The CPM noted that an initial assessment of diagnostic laboratory networks was completed in 2025 and will be reviewed by the focus group at its first in-person meeting in June 2026. Emphasizing the need to strengthen rather than duplicate existing networks, the CPM invited comments from contracting parties, thanked South Africa for its in-kind support, requested a review of the focus group’s terms of reference by the Bureau, and asked for a final report at CPM-22 (2028).