4th Phytosanitary Conference - 2023

KEPHIS is spearheading activities to mark the International Year of Plant Health (2022/2023) in Kenya. KEPHIS and COPE have organized a virtual 4th Phytosanitary Conference from 18th to 21st September 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya. The theme of the conference is “Enhancing Phytosanitary Systems for Trade Facilitation, Climate Smart Agriculture and Sustainable livelihoods”. This Conference will be in line with the celebrations of the International Year of Plant Health in 2022/2023.

Visit the 4th Phytosanitary Conference Official Website for details. Conference Details:

Conference Venue: Virtual
Coordination Venue: KEPHIS Headquarters,
Oloolua Ridge-Karen,
Nairobi, Kenya

1. Introduction

Sanitary and phytosanitary matters remain pertinent in international trade and sustainable livelihoods. Globally, pests and diseases affect the quality of crops and reduce crop production by 33% resulting in loss of income and disruptions of international markets, thus affecting trade between countries. To discuss such challenges; three phytosanitary conferences have been organized in the past thus; 2016, 2018, and 2021. The Government of Kenya, Partners, KEPHIS and COPE have planned for another Phytosanitary Conference in 2023 in Nairobi dubbed “4th International Phytosanitary Conference 2023” whose theme is “Enhancing Phytosanitary Systems for Trade Facilitation, Climate Smart Agriculture and Sustainable livelihoods."

KEPHIS as the organizer of these Phytosanitary Conferences notes that the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) specifies that countries have agreed to cooperate in the development of international standards. Consequently, the IPPC has established a programme to develop and adopt “International Standards on Phytosanitary Measures” (ISPM). The convention also makes provision for application of phytosanitary measures by governments to protect their plant resources from harmful pests which may be introduced through international trade. Phytosanitary measures include any legislation, regulations or official procedure aimed at preventing the introduction and spread of harmful pests.

 The conference will create an opportunity for participants from various sectors involved in agricultural trade to share their success as well as challenges encountered. The conference will also offer the participants an opportunity to discuss emerging issues such as maximum residue levels (MRLs), invasive species and pest outbreaks. The venue will be KEPHIS Headquarters Karen Nairobi Kenya. There will also be limited exhibition booths.

2. Objectives The Objectives of the conference are: to provide an opportunity for the NPPOs in Africa to share achievements and challenges; to provide the NPPOs with opportunity to create linkages and promote market access within Africa; to identify potential areas of cooperation on phytosanitary regulation at regional and international levels. 3. Thematic Areas

i)Invasive species ii) Pest Risk Analysis iii) Pest Surveillance in Phytosanitary Systems iv) Import control and Quarantine Regulations v) Pest diagnostics in phytosanitary systems vi) Export certification in phytosanitary systems vii) Emerging innovation in Phytosanitary systems viii) Industry role in implementation of successful phytosanitary systems ix) Climate Change resilience, mitigation and adaptation x) Cross-cutting issues in phytosanitary systems (To include legal requirements, Capacity building, regulatory framework, trade negotiations and communication in phytosanitary systems, GMOs, Biosafety, gender issues in sanitary and phytosanitary systems).

A practical field day will be held during the conference to see application of the issues in the conference themes.

4. Participants

Over100 participants are expected from government, policy makers and horticultural industry will participate; participants will include: NPPOs, Government (food safety, agricultural policy, horticulture, extension), Farmer and exporter organizations, international agencies, Donor agencies, and others.

5. Language

The major language of communication during the conference shall be English

6. Cost per participant

Registration fee Students US$ 150; Normal delegates US$ 300; Corporate max of 3 participants US$ 750 (to include meals [2 teas and lunch], bag, stationary, cocktail, abstract book, transport for field visit).

7. Accomodation

Accommodation is available at KEPHIS on a first come first serve basis. Rate: Half Board at USD 45 per person per day for residents and USD 50 per person per day for international guests. For reservations contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Alternative accommodation can be found in KCB leadership Center. For more information on KCB leadership Center, kindly call Reservations on 0720855457. Other accomodation can be found around Karen

8. Posters

Some participants will not be able to present their papers during the plenary and a poster section will be available for such papers.

9. Exhibition Booths

A limited number of booths will be available for displaying products or services relevant to the phytosanitary area. Contacts: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

10. Abstracts

Abstract are expected by 30th May, 2023 sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. This will be Microsoft Word (*.doc) within the thematic areas; one paragraph of 300 words; font: times new roman: Font size 12; 6 keywords. The oral presentations will be approximately 15 minutes with data, experience or case studies in phytosanitary matters. The document should be named by author's name with the content in English. Contacts: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

11. Special Sessions

There will be special sessions in which inspectors from various NPPOs will be trained on how to conduct risk based surveys by experts from European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The training will include practical sessions that will focus on the preparation and design of detection surveys for different pests of general interest using the RiPEST/RIBESS+ application.Contacts: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

12. Side Events

There will be side events linked to various phytosanitary issues targeting journalists, farmers, youth, women and industry players. Contacts: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

13. Contacts

The Secretariat
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
4th International Phytosanitary Conference 2023,
KEPHIS HQ, Karen, Nairobi, Kenya
Website: www.kephis.org    
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.