Wondi Mersie, PI for the IPM Innovation Lab’s Biological control of the invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus in East Africa project, was invited by Dr. Shoki Al-Dobai, Crop Protection Officer for FAO to speak about the spread, economic, social and environmental importance and management practices of the Parthenium at the Annual Regional Workshop of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) for the Near East and North Africa region held in Algiers, Algeria from September 5 to 8. The purpose of the workshop was to develop capacity in a range of areas related to the IPPC and to keep the national plant protection organizations in the region updated on the plant protection issues and imminent risks and threats of transboundary and quarantine pests. The workshop included how to analyze draft ISPMs (International Standards of Phytosanitary Measures), how to build phytosanitary capacity and raise awareness on all activities related to the IPPC, and how to exchange experiences at the regional level. There were 38 participants from eighteen countries.
