CONCEPT NOTE
INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ON SURVEILLANCE AND REPORTING OBLIGATIONS
COURSE BBACKGROUND
In a world where global trade, climate variability, and ecological disruption continue to influence the movement and behavior of plant pests, robust pest surveillance and accurate reporting have become critical tools for protecting national agriculture and biodiversity. Early detection and transparent reporting not only help mitigate the risks of pest outbreaks but also play a vital role in maintaining the integrity of plant health systems and supporting safe international trade. The Surveillance and Reporting Obligations course addresses this growing need by equipping participants with essential knowledge and skills to monitor, identify, and communicate plant pest occurrences in a timely and effective manner.
This course is offered by Environmental Capacities and Sustainability (ECAS) in response to increasing demands from national and regional authorities to strengthen their phytosanitary systems. It has been designed specifically to support National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs) and their partners in aligning their surveillance practices and reporting mechanisms with international standards set by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). By doing so, countries can enhance their preparedness and responsiveness to pest threats, fulfill their international obligations, and foster transparency in global plant health governance.
Moreover, the course emphasizes practical implementation—providing tools to strengthen national systems, streamline surveillance operations, and build institutional capacity for pest reporting. It promotes a structured approach to surveillance planning, pest status determination, and compliance with national and international reporting responsibilities. Whether a country is dealing with new pest introductions, outbreaks of known pests, or shifts in pest distribution due to climate change, this course empowers participants to contribute effectively to a well-coordinated and science-based plant health surveillance framework.
COURSE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand key concepts in pest surveillance, pest status determination, and pest reporting.
- Strengthen the design and execution of national pest surveillance systems.
- Identify steps for prioritizing and planning surveillance programs based on risk and national needs.
- Improve pest reporting mechanisms in compliance with IPPC standards and obligations.
- Develop or refine national reporting systems that effectively communicate pest detections and outbreaks.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Participants will gain knowledge and practical skills in the following areas:
- The foundational principles of pest surveillance and pest reporting.
- Step-by-step processes for pest status determination.
- How to design and operate effective surveillance programs based on legislative and institutional frameworks.
- Tools and methodologies to support early pest detection and monitoring.
- Best practices for meeting international reporting obligations under the IPPC.
DURATION AND PROGRAM
TARGET PARTICIPANTS
This course is designed for professionals and technical personnel directly or indirectly involved in plant pest surveillance and reporting. It is especially relevant for NPPOs managers, supervisors, and staff responsible for surveillance and phytosanitary information exchange. It is also suitable for individuals from private organizations responsible for the phytosanitary certification of export commodities, as well as other IPPC contracting party representatives engaged in pest status determination and reporting functions.
TRAINING MODULES
| No | Module | Details | |
| 1. | National Organizational Arrangements – Surveillance Approaches and Applications |
This module introduces the types of surveillance and their role in plant health protection. It discusses the national arrangements needed to support surveillance activities.
The key topics include:
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| 2. | Steps in Determining Pest Status |
This module outlines how NPPOs can evaluate data from surveillance to determine the presence or absence of pests and define pest status within national territory.
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| 3. | Organizational Arrangements– Legislation, Funding, Management and Human Resources |
Here, learners will explore the policy and institutional backbone that enables sustainable and effective pest surveillance systems.
The key topics include:
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| 4. | Surveillance Programme Prioritization, Planning and Design |
This module provides guidance on how to identify surveillance priorities and design programs tailored to national needs.
The key topics include
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Operations and Methodologies of a Pest Surveillance Programme |
This module dives into the operational components of surveillance, offering tools and methodologies to support implementation.
The key topics include:
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| 6. | Pest Reporting |
Participants will learn the importance of pest reporting and how to structure reports Principles of pest reporting
The key topics include:
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| 7. | National Reporting Obligations |
This final module covers national reporting responsibilities under the IPPC, emphasizing transparency and international cooperation.
The key topics include:
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TRAINING STYLE
The modules will be taught through PowerPoint presentations, and lectures and will include a case study/field visit, breakout sessions, case studies and other interactive discussion components.
The course will also include a few guest speakers, both in person and via Zoom and other online learning platforms for overseas speakers. This provides useful real-world insights alongside the more theoretical aspects of the course.
The conference faculty shall consist of experienced decision makers, as well as practitioners and representatives from established educational and research institutions active around climate change, engineering and international development. Throughout the course, theoretical presentation of concepts will be moderated and more group discussions and plenary engagements will be optimized. PowerPoint presentations will be made by facilitators and resource persons, to highlight key concepts before embarking on group work.
GENERAL NOTES
- Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.
- Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued with a certificate.
- We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide needs. Contact us to find out more: info@ecasiafrica.org.
- Payment should be sent to our bank account before the start of training and proof of payment sent to: info@ecasiafrica.org.
ABOUT ECAS INSTITUTE
The ECAS Institute designs and delivers independent and targeted training, research, and consulting services. Our work focusses on climate change and resilience building, carbon markets, renewable energy, nature-based solution, biodiversity conservation, agriculture and food systems, We are located in Nairobi Kenya and work across the African region. We have implemented training and research assignments in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Malawi, Rwanda, Congo, and South Africa. Globally, we have supported our partners from the UK, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Germany, and USA.