For the first time, the Cook Islands hosted the 10th Pacific Plant Protection Organisation (PPPO) Regional Technical (Full) Board Meeting this week from 24-25 August, at the Crown Beach Resort.

The PPPO Technical Board Meeting allows all respective National Plant Protection Organisations from the Pacific region to meet and discuss biosecurity issues that are important, relevant and are priorities for all members.

Temarama Anguna-Kamana, Secretary of Agriculture said the two day PPPO Board Meeting will deliberate its work plan for the next three years, and acknowledge the work and  achievements carried out by its members during the period from its last board meeting held in 2018, Fiji.

A GAP (a tool for organisations seeking to optimise their procurement processes and achieve strategic objectives) analysis will be undertaken for PPPO to see how the organisation can be strengthened going forward, and to look for sustainable funding for its operations, she said.

Minister for Agriculture Vainetutai Rose Toki-Brown said it was important to be able to once again meet face to face.

Over the two days, a number of important issues and discussions based around the theme ‘Review & Reset’ will be covered, she says.

“Regional standards, review and reset to further strengthen the PPPO, phytosanitary capacity evaluation, Sea Container Hygiene Standards, Regional ePhyto, Emergency response and preparedness and the PPPO Work Plan are just some of the items I understand are included in the agenda.

“It goes without saying that biosecurity and quarantine authorities play a significant role in protecting our unique flora and fauna and encouraging safe trade of phytosanitary commodities.”

Toki-Brown also took the opportunity to congratulate the PPPO on three significant milestone achievements - the launch of the Pest List Database, Biosecurity Information Facility and the PPPO webpage.

“Let’s continue to support each other in preventing the spread of exotic invasive pests and diseases and encourage safe trade of our phytosanitary commodities.

“I would also like to thank all the development partners for their ongoing support to the PPPO and we look forward to the ongoing collaboration and engagement into the future,” she said.

Elections for the roles of Chair, Vice Chair and the executive committee, were held yesterday.

The Board Meeting followed after the closing of the Pacific Plant Protection Organisation (PPPO) annual International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) three-day workshop on Wednesday.

PPPO was founded in October 1994 by the South Pacific Conference (now the Pacific Community Conference) at its 34th Session in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

The organisation coordinates harmonisation of phytosanitary measures and fosters co-operation in plant protection and other phytosanitary matters among members, countries, and organisations outside the Pacific region.

It includes all 26 members of the Pacific Community comprising twenty-two Pacific Island Countries and Territories and four founding members.

• Melina Etches/Ministry Agriculture release