On August 10, the International Plant Protection Consortium (IPPCO) was officially launched at a conference in Guiyang, hosted by Guizhou University and organized by the university’s National Key Green Pesticide Laboratory. The event brought together officials from provincial departments of science and technology, education, foreign affairs, and the science and technology association, as well as representatives from the ASEAN University Network (AUN), domestic and international universities, research institutes, and faculty and students of Guizhou University.
As a member of the ASEAN University Network, Guizhou University proposed the establishment of IPPCO—a non-profit international academic organization in plant protection—through the China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week platform. The launch was held during the 5th International Conference on Mountain Agriculture and Green Plant Protection, a year-round program of the Cooperation Week. IPPCO aims to promote talent development, scientific research, and the application of research achievements in plant protection, while fostering global collaboration in the field. It will also facilitate faculty and student exchanges, joint research, and postgraduate training among member countries, providing a platform and technical support to address major plant diseases, pests, and weeds.
Professor Song Bao’an, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and president of Guizhou University, emphasized at the event that plant protection was fundamental to global agricultural sustainability, food security, ecological safety, and human health. He stressed that only through cross-border and interdisciplinary cooperation could lasting momentum be injected into global plant protection efforts. He expressed hope that IPPCO would serve as an innovative community for sharing resources, technologies, and achievements with global partners.
At the inauguration ceremony, Dr. Thanaphon Lephalaksha, Secretary-General of the ASEAN University Network, emphasized the growing threat of plant diseases and pests to agriculture and ecosystems worldwide. He noted that international collaboration in plant protection education and research has been insufficient, and IPPCO’s establishment marks a new era of cooperation. Members worldwide, he said, will work together with a shared sense of responsibility and scientific excellence to enhance food security.
Song Guangqiang, Deputy Secretary of the CPC’s Guizhou Provincial Education Work Committee and member of Guizhou Provincial Department of Education, highlighted the role of international engagement in advancing modern education and supporting national diplomacy. He described IPPCO as a concrete step toward implementing international cooperation in education and technology. He pledge the Pronvicial Department of Education’s full support of Guizhou University and IPPCO’s initiatives to strengthen ecological and food security. He offered three suggestions for IPPCO: adopt a global vision to set new standards for international collaboration; deepen industry-academia-research integration to spur innovation; and focus on cultivating young talent to build intellectual capacity.
Yang Yongbin, Vice Chair of the Provincial Association for Science and Technology, stressed that plant protection is a global effort requiring shared commitment. As a strong supporter, the Association will:
Encourage local scientists to engage in IPPCO activities, facilitate international exchanges, and adopt advanced technologies to boost local innovation;
Promote joint projects between Guizhou and member institutions, especially in mountain plant protection, to share resources and develop a “Guizhou approach”;
Host high-level international conferences and technical workshops to foster an open, collaborative academic environment.
Yang Song, Director of the Provincial Department of Science and Technology, described IPPCO as a milestone in global plant protection and Guizhou’s integration into worldwide agricultural science networks. The Department will leverage IPPCO to build a closed-loop system linking technology development, talent training, and industrial application. Key initiatives include creating a global technology-sharing platform, establishing an international talent development system, and promoting standard setting for mountain agriculture.
The event concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Song Bao’an and Dr. Thanaphon, witnessed by representatives including Choltis Dhirathiti of SEAMEO, Zhang Keqin of Yunnan University, and other officials.
Professor Wang Qiao of Guizhou University, also a fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand, was appointed Secretary-General of IPPCO. He issued appointments to secretariat members and expressed his commitment to addressing global food security challenges through determined partnership.
Editor: Pang Aizhong
Chief editor: Li Xufeng
Senior editor: Ding Long
Translator: Du Xiaorui
