Biotech Updates

2020 Proclaimed International Year of Plant Health by UN General Assembly

January 9, 2019

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has proclaimed 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health to raise global awareness of plant health, and its role in increasing food security. The UNGA Plenary approved the draft resolution during their 73rd session in New York City on December 20, 2018.

"The International Year of Plant Health offers a ‘once-in-a-lifetime' opportunity for plant protection professionals to promote plant health to policy makers, stakeholders and society," said Ralf Lopian, Chair of the International Year of Plant Health Steering Committee. Lopian added that the year will demonstrate that plant health is an indispensable precondition to achieving zero hunger, zero poverty, economic development, and environmental protection.

The International Seed Federation (ISF), member of the Steering Committee, has been actively involved in coordinating efforts by its national seed associations to collaborate with their national plant protection offices on activities planned to promote the International Year of Plant Health. "Plants are the foundation of life on earth and we are proud to be part of this initiative to protect the world's plant resources from pests," said ISF Secretary General Michael Keller.

For more details, read the ISF press release.