Egypt will host a regional workshop next week to strengthen plant biosecurity and cooperation across North Africa and the Near East, as countries work to protect agricultural production and food security from plant pests and diseases.
The 2026 FAO-IPPC Regional Workshop for the Near East and North Africa will take place in Cairo from September 7 to 10 under the theme “Plant Biosecurity for Food Security.”
The event is being organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), in cooperation with the Near East Plant Protection Organization (NEPPO) and Egypt’s Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation.
Plant pests and diseases can cross borders, damage crops, disrupt agricultural production and trade, and affect the livelihoods of farming communities, making regional coordination a key part of protecting food supplies.
Egyptian Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouk said hosting the workshop reflects Egypt’s commitment to protecting agricultural resources and strengthening cooperation on plant health.
FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa AbdulHakim ElWaer affirmed the importance of plant health in safeguarding food security, livelihoods, biodiversity and safe agricultural trade, calling for stronger regional cooperation.
The workshop will provide a platform for countries to exchange technical expertise and national experiences, identify emerging plant-health priorities and assess capacity-building needs across the region.
Participants will review draft International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) and related documents currently under consultation, while coordinating regional comments through the IPPC’s online consultation system.
Mohamed El-Mansy, head of Egypt’s Central Administration of Plant Quarantine, described plant quarantine systems as a first line of defence against the introduction and spread of harmful pests.
He said stronger coordination among national plant protection organizations would support the implementation of international phytosanitary standards and improve pest-risk management.
IPPC Secretary Enrico Perotti said regional exchanges allow countries to share experiences and help ensure international plant-health standards reflect scientific knowledge and practical realities.
Agriculture plays a central role in food security across North Africa, where protecting crops from invasive pests is increasingly important to reducing production losses and strengthening the resilience of agrifood systems.
The Cairo workshop is expected to support closer coordination among plant protection authorities and international organizations, with a focus on early detection, risk assessment, preparedness and coordinated responses to emerging plant-health threats.
