Riyadh to host regional and international plant health meetings in October 2026

Riyadh will host two significant plant health meetings in October 2026 to foster collaboration among regional and international organizations and experts. These specialized events are scheduled to take place from October 3 to 8, 2026, under the organization of the National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases (Weqaa) in partnership with the Near East Plant Protection Organization (NEPPO).

The participation will extend to various regional and international bodies, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The meetings will kick off on October 3 and 4 with a gathering of NEPPO's executive committee. During this session, chaired by Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Khraiji, the committee will assess their activities for 2026, delve into the legislative framework and organizational structure for 2027–2028, and deliberate on the execution of the 2025–2035 strategic plan. Additionally, they will discuss recent advancements and relevant topics linked to plant protection.

Subsequently, a technical consultation meeting among regional plant protection organizations will be convened from October 5 to 8. This event will witness the participation of representatives from worldwide regional organizations, the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), FAO, and numerous experts. Notably, Eng. Ayman bin Saad Al-Ghamdi, CEO of Weqaa, will be among the attendees.

The agenda will cover the review of past consultations, updates from regional bodies, discussions on technical and strategic matters, formulation of future work plans, and bolstering international cooperation in the realm of plant protection.