International Day of Plant Health: 1st Informal Meeting on UNGA Draft Resolution on IDPH

 

Introductory remarks on behalf of FAO
by Mr. QU Guangzhou

Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the UN in New York

1. I thank you, Excellency, Ambassador Muhabi Lungu, for your introductory remarks. 
2. On behalf of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, I would like to thank the Government of Zambia for its leadership in championing the proposal of the ‘International Day of Plant Health’ to be observed on 12 May.
3. Plant health is central to the food systems transformation. It underpins the Sustainable Development Goals, and sits at the forefront of FAO’s mandate, especially the International Plant Protection Convention, which is housed at FAO. 
4. The International Day of Plant Health will help to amplify the results and achievements made throughout the International Year of Plant Health in 2020, such as: raising awareness on the role of plant health; anticipating and responding to environment hazards, and; creating an enabling environment for a sustainable and inclusive development that is anchored in the observation of phytosanitary safety standards in international trade.
5. This draft resolution is the result of thorough discussion in FAO governing bodies in 2020 and in 2021, when it was adopted by the FAO Conference. 
6. The Steering Committee for the International Year of Plant Health recognized the proclamation of an International Day of Plant Health as the key legacy for the year, and FAO is honoured to be part of the process. 
7. The International Day of Plant Health would provide an excellent opportunity to keep stakeholders actively engaged, fostering more collaborative and inclusive policies to facilitate safer international trade, including by linking smallholders to markets through a harmonized application of normative instruments, such as the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures, among others. 
8. Please rest assured of FAO’s continued support as you discuss the draft resolution for adoption by the General Assembly.
9. I thank you, Ambassador.