International Day of Plant Health 2026 focuses on Plant Biosecurity for Food Security

Key facts

• The International Day of Plant Health is observed on 12 May 2026 at the Sheikh Zayed Centre, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Headquarters in Rome.
• The theme for the 2026 observance is Plant Biosecurity for Food Security and Nutrition, highlighting biosecurity as a safety net in agrifood systems.
• Opening remarks for the high-level event were delivered by FAO Director-General QU Dongyu and FAO Chief Economist Máximo Torero via video message.
• The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat guided the dialogue involving the Ambassadors of Brazil, Mexico, and the United States, and the Director General of the Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT.
• Plant biosecurity supports the FAO Four Betters by safeguarding production systems, improving nutrition outcomes, conserving ecosystems, and strengthening resilient livelihoods.