CAHFSA Assumes Leadership of GICSV Coordination for 2025–2027

The Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA) officially assumed the coordination of the Inter-American Coordinating Group in Plant Protection (GICSV) for the period May 2025 to May 2027, following a formal handover ceremony held on May 29, 2025.

This milestone event marked the transition of coordination from the Organismo Internacional Regional de Sanidad Agropecuaria (OIRSA) to CAHFSA, further strengthening the collaborative framework among the Regional Plant Protection Organizations (RPPOs) of the Americas and the Caribbean. The ceremony was hosted in person at CAHFSA’s headquarters in Suriname and was also accessible virtually, enabling broad participation across the region.

The ceremony featured a comprehensive agenda that highlighted the achievements of the coordination carried out by OIRSA and the presentation of the proposed 2025–2027 work plan by the new GICSV Coordinator, CAHFSA.

The handover ceremony also featured videos emphasising the importance of RPPOs in plant health and regional collaboration, underscoring our collective commitment to safeguarding agriculture in the Americas. Special thanks were extended to OIRSA for its exceptional leadership and contributions over the past two years.

Under CAHFSA’s coordination, GICSV will continue to focus on priority areas such as pest surveillance, the harmonisation of phytosanitary measures, and the rapid response to plant health emergencies. The 2025–2027 Work Plan outlines strategic goals aimed at enhancing cooperation and strengthening phytosanitary systems throughout the hemisphere.

CAHFSA is honoured to lead this important regional initiative, and it remains committed to fostering innovation, inclusion, and effective coordination throughout its term.

For more information about GICSV and its programmes, please visit:
https://apps.iica.int/GICSV/programas/SanidadVegetal/default.aspx