JIRCAS Participates in the International Workshop on Facilitating International Research Collaboration on Transboundary Plant Pests

As the current MACS-G20 Chair, JIRCAS Pres. Masa Iwanaga participated as Chair of the "International Workshop on Facilitating International Research Collaboration on Transboundary Plant Pests” organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) at the Tsukuba International Congress Center on November 27-29, 2019.

At the 8th Meeting of G20 Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS-G20) hosted by Japan in April this year, the G20 members recognized that transboundary plant pests are a serious threat to food security and the environment. The need for effective sharing of experiences and the latest information on the occurrence and management of plant pests was also emphasized. In response, the “International Workshop on Facilitating International Research Collaboration on Transboundary Plant Pests” organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) was held at the Tsukuba International Congress Center on November 27-29, 2019. As the current MACS-G20 Chair, JIRCAS Pres. Masa Iwanaga participated as Chair of this workshop. 

The workshop consisted of discussions on 8 major transboundary plant pests (1st day), field trip to research facilities and a farm in Tsukuba (2nd day), and discussion on cross-cutting issues (3rd day).             

The participants from G20 member countries and international organizations shared the latest information on the occurrence and management of transboundary plant pests around the world, identified countermeasures and technologies that should be pursued through international collaboration, and addressed initiatives that could be pursued to raise awareness in transboundary plant pests in line with the International Year of Plant Health 2020. The output of the workshop will be compiled in a report to be submitted to the MACS-G20 which will be held in Saudi Arabia next year.

Opening address of Pres. Masa Iwanaga

Participants from G20 member countries and international organizations

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