AU-IAPSC Overview
Discover our mission, vision, and values that guide our commitment to food security in Africa
Official Documentation
African Union Inter-African Phytosanitary Council (AU-IAPSC)
Specialized Technical Office of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union Commission
1954
Yaoundé, Cameroon
Regional Plant Protection Organization (RPPO)
International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)
1954
Yaoundé, Cameroon
Regional Plant Protection Organization (RPPO)
International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)
1. INSTITUTIONAL PRESENTATION
Specialized technical office of the AU established in 1954 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
1.1 Institutional Characteristics
Established in 1954, headquartered in Yaoundé, Cameroon
Specialized technical office of the AU-DREA
Collaboration with 54 National Plant Protection Organizations
Partnership with 8 Regional Economic Communities
One of the 9 Regional Plant Protection Organizations of the IPPC
Established in 1954 in Yaoundé
Specialized technical office AU-DREA
54 NPPO partners
1.2 Vision, Mission and Goal
VISION
An Africa free from pests that destroy plants, with sustainable agricultural systems and enhanced food security for all.
MISSION
Coordinate and strengthen plant protection capacities in Africa through policy harmonization, knowledge sharing, and promotion of sustainable phytosanitary practices.
GOAL
Establish an integrated continental system for surveillance and management of phytosanitary risks that protects African agricultural biodiversity and facilitates intra-African trade.
2. MANDATE AND MISSION
2.1 Core Mandate
The mandate of AU-IAPSC is to coordinate and provide support for the protection of plant resources for the wellbeing and economic development of African Union (AU) Member States. Specifically, the particular mandate includes:
Prevent the introduction and spread of pests that attack and damage crops and forests in Africa.
Develop a common strategy against the introduction and spread of pests, particularly through the harmonization of phytosanitary legislation.
Ensure cooperation and a harmonized approach in all areas of plant protection where governments take official measures.
Provide a documentation service for the provision and exchange of information in all areas of its activities.
Prevent the introduction and spread of pests that attack and damage crops and forests in Africa.
Develop a common strategy against the introduction and spread of pests, particularly through the harmonization of phytosanitary legislation.
Ensure cooperation and a harmonized approach in all areas of plant protection where governments take official measures.
Provide a documentation service for the provision and exchange of information in all areas of its activities.
2.2 Activities per the Maputo Declaration
Management of information on plant protection.
Development of strategies against the introduction and spread of plant pests.
Promotion of safe and sustainable plant protection techniques.
Enlighten Member States on the implications of the WTO SPS Agreement on international agricultural trade.
3. OPERATIONAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Operations guided by international standards and continental frameworks.
3.1 Legal and Normative Instruments
International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)
Adherence to global phytosanitary standards and guidelines
African Union Agenda 2063
Alignment with continental development aspirations
Maputo Declaration
Founding framework defining the profile and mission of AU-IAPSC
Plant Health Strategy for Africa (PHSA)
Implementation of the continental plant protection strategy
International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)
Global phytosanitary standards
African Union Agenda 2063
Continental development
Maputo Declaration
AU-IAPSC Mission
Plant Health Strategy for Africa (PHSA)
Plant protection Africa
4. STRATEGIC AND METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH
Approach based on research and stakeholder engagement.
4.1 Methodological Principles
Risk-Based Management
Implementation of science-based risk assessment and management strategies
Multi-Stakeholder Engagement
Fostering collaboration between governments, farmers, researchers, and the private sector
Innovation Integration
Harnessing cutting-edge technologies and digital solutions
Regional Harmonization
Promotion of unified standards and procedures across African regions
Risk-Based Management
Scientific risk assessment
Multi-Stakeholder Engagement
Multi-sector collaboration
Innovation Integration
Innovative technologies
Regional Harmonization
Regional unified standards
5. PRIORITY AREAS OF ACTION
Key areas for African agricultural development.
5.1 Strategic Intervention Axes
Surveillance and Early Warning
Development of continental surveillance systems for early detection and rapid response to pest outbreaks
Capacity Building
Strengthening the technical capacities of Member States through training, technology transfer, and institutional development
Trade Facilitation
Harmonization of phytosanitary measures to reduce trade barriers while maintaining plant health protection
Research Coordination
Coordination of research initiatives and promotion of knowledge sharing among African research institutions
Surveillance and Early Warning
Surveillance and early detection
Capacity Building
Training and development
Trade Facilitation
Trade and protection
Research Coordination
Collaborative research
Governance Structure
AU-IAPSC is governed by a Steering Committee that provides technical and political oversight, ensuring effective coordination with Member States.
General Assembly
Supreme decision-making body
Steering Committee
Technical and political oversight
Consultants Group
Scientific expertise
Scientific Secretariat
Operational coordination
General Assembly
Decision-making body
Steering Committee
Technical oversight
Consultants Group
Scientific expertise
Scientific Secretariat
Coordination
Key Programs
Our key phytosanitary programs strengthen the capacities of African Member States through training, regulation harmonization, and development of advanced information systems.
Pest Risk Analysis (PRA)
Training of NPPO staff in pest risk analysis, phytosanitary inspections and treatments, field certification, laboratory diagnostics, surveillance, and pest monitoring.
Harmonization of Regulations
Development and harmonization of phytosanitary regulations in Africa to facilitate intra-African trade while protecting plant health.
Phytosanitary Information Management
Development and management of information systems to serve Africa and international plant protection organizations, including pest modeling for early warning.
Partnerships and Collaboration
National Plant Protection
Organizations (NPPOs)
Regional Economic
Communities (RECs)
Regional Plant Protection
Organizations (RPPOs)
AU-IAPSC collaborates closely with FAO, IPPC, and other international partners to strengthen phytosanitary capacities and facilitate agricultural trade in Africa.
Protecting Plant Health in Africa
Join us in our mission to strengthen Africa's phytosanitary systems through innovative solutions, collaborative partnerships, and evidence-based strategies that protect plant health and enhance food security across the continent.