International Day of Plant Health

Plant Health is a discipline that encompasses a set of skills or strategies aimed at controlling and preventing economically important or quarantine pests that cause damage. It is an essential aspect to ensure plant resources through stable and sustainable ecosystems , guaranteeing food security for the world's population in the production of food suitable for human consumption. The Regional Directorate of Plant Health of OIRSA contributes to preventing or delaying the introduction or spread of quarantine pests in the OIRSA region through:  Design, implementation, and consolidation of a surveillance system for quarantine pests in the regional scope. Establishment of early detection systems in the face of the threat of emerging quarantine pests. Strengthening integrated pest management for quarantine pests. In addition to contributing to the control of regulated non-quarantine pests and other economically important pests, supporting Member States in strengthening their plant hea...

EVENTO: Transmisión por el Día Internacional de la Sanidad Vegetal LUGAR: San Salvador, El Salvador FECHA: 12 de mayo de 2025. Register to participate!  

On May 12th, The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) , the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and the International Regional Organization for Plant and Animal Health (OIRSA) are organizing a high-level event to mark the International Day of Plant Health (IDPH) . The Day, under the theme “ The importance of plant health in One Health ”, aims to raise global awareness and action towards protecting plant health to help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect biodiversity and the environment and boost economic development. The high-level event is hosted by OIRSA which also hosts the first 3D technology that simulates management of pest outbreaks , providing a technologically advanced platform that will greatly enhance pest surveillance and response. FAO celebrates its 80th year in 2025 through 365 days of action , of which plant protection is a priority . Marking the International Day of Plant Health is an opportunity to raise awareness on the crit...

Under the theme “ The importance of plant health in One Health ”, The International Day of plant health 2025 aims to raise global awareness and action towards protecting plant health to help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect biodiversity and the environment and boost economic development. “We need all stakeholders on board,” said Qu Dongyu, FAO Director-General through a video message at the opening of the IDPH event. “Governments and donors must invest in implementing standards and in building national plant health systems, legislation and capacities. By prioritizing plant health within the One Health framework, we can create a healthier, more sustainable future for generations to come”, he added. “OIRSA is pleased to partner with FAO and IPPC on this important day”, said Raúl Antonio Rodas Suazo”, Executive Director of OIRSA . “We are committed to achieve our common goal to protect plant health through innovation and technology which we are demonstrating to the world today”, he...

Abstract: In this webinar , our speakers, will highlight how advancements in plant pathology and epidemiology can contribute to achieving SDG 1: No Poverty , by presenting on wheat protection globally and the WAVE initiative focused on cassava viruses. The WAVE Regional Center of Excellence is a scientific and technical platform that aims to increase food production in Central and West Africa, in a sustainable manner, by developing effective methods for the control and management of transboundary plant pathogens , as well as preventing the incursion of exotic plant diseases into new areas. We aim to inspire others to join the research for more sustainable and resilient crop production . The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A session. Speakers Dr Katherine Kahn is a Senior Program Officer in Agricultural Development for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Kathy joined the Foundation in 2007 and manages grants focused on crop improvement and discovery...

  Wildfires threaten water security . Forests are vitally important for safeguarding water quality and freshwater access. Forested watersheds provide over 2/3 of the world’s drinking water, with 33 of the world’s 105 largest cities relying on forested areas for their water supplies alongside many smaller cities and rural regions.⁣ ⁣ Forests and trees increase infiltration and reduce rates of erosion , both of which prevent sedimentation and other pollutants from reaching rivers and lakes crucial for water supplies . After a wildfire there are fewer trees to intercept water runoff from storms, and soil becomes unstable and more prone to erosion. This means that when it rains, more sediment, ash and pollutants end up flowing into lakes, rivers and reservoirs. ⁣ After the 2018 Camp Fire in California, for example, post-fire rainstorms caused debris and toxic to enter nearby bodies of water, and some utilities had to stop using water from sources too close to the fire.⁣ ⁣