38th regional plant protection consultation opens in Riyadh

The 38th session of technical consultations between regional plant protection organizations began today in Riyadh. The event is hosted by the National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases (Weqaa), with participation from representatives of regional and international organizations as well as plant health experts. The session will continue until October 8, 2026.

During the opening, Weqaa CEO Ayman bin Saad Al-Ghamdi emphasized that plant health is a key enabler for sustainable agricultural production and food security. He noted Saudi Arabia's shift from a reactive approach to pests to a proactive strategy based on risk management, early detection, and rapid response.

Al-Ghamdi highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation and partnerships between regional and international organizations, and developing more effective mechanisms for pest prevention and response to support the protection of plant resources and the sustainability of agricultural production.

Boosting international cooperation and knowledge exchange

Enrico Perotti, Secretary of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), stressed the importance of information sharing among regional organizations and leveraging modern technologies and artificial intelligence to support plant health.

Mohamed Habib Ben Jamaa, Executive Director of the Near East Plant Protection Organization (NEPPO), underscored the role of regional organizations in developing international standards and exchanging expertise, with a focus on utilizing artificial intelligence and enhancing laboratory diagnostic and pest response capabilities.

Adriana Moreira, an official at the IPPC Secretariat, added that addressing the growing challenges in plant health requires greater coordination and turning shared priorities into practical steps to boost readiness for cross-border threats.

Session themes and objectives

The technical consultations aim to enhance coordination and cooperation among regional organizations, exchange expertise and knowledge on shared issues, and support the development of plant health frameworks regionally and internationally. The session will review outcomes of previous consultations, discuss organizational updates, priorities, challenges, and explore initiatives and future action plans.

Participants include representatives from organizations covering various regions worldwide, such as APPPC, CAN, COSAVE, EPPO, IAPSC, NAPPO, OIRSA, PPPO, CAHFSA, NEPPO, as well as the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and a number of experts and specialists.

Field visits and experience sharing

The session will include a field visit to a farm to observe agricultural practices related to plant health, as part of the practical component and exchange of field experiences.

The organization of this session by Weqaa reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to supporting regional and international efforts in plant health, providing platforms for organizations and experts to exchange knowledge, and enhancing joint readiness to address plant protection challenges.