From 22 to 24 November 2022, the Border Management Programme in Central Asia (BOMCA 10) held a regional workshop with elements of the Training of Trainers methodology (ToT) on the alignment of national plant legislation with the provisions of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) requirements for representatives of phytosanitary agencies, and agencies which are involved in the implementation of IPPC standards in import/export controls.

This activity aimed to assist the CA countries in the assessment of trade facilitation measures and to support the capacity building activities in the areas covered by the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and sanitary measures, including international standards and supporting competent authorities in shaping a customised plan of action, based on an analysis of their specific country situation.

Experts from Border Control Department, Food and Veterinary Service of Latvia and Border Control Coordination Division of the State Plant Service, under the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania, also introduced participants to training methods and tools to transfer knowledge on the topic within the agencies by utilising the ToT methodology and guidelines developed earlier by the project.

Following the completion of the workshop and building upon the information received from the national counterparts, the expert team will develop a set of written guidelines for the implementation of International Plant Protection Convention requirements.  

This workshop was organised in the framework of BOMCA Component 3, “Facilitation of Trade”, which aims to further support the regional economic processes.