38th Session of the Technical Consultations among Regional and National Plant Protection Organizations around the world concluded in Riyadh. Hosted by the National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases ('Weqaa') from October 5 to 8, 2026, the event drew participation from representatives and specialists from these organizations. Attendees also included representatives from the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and various plant health experts, organized in cooperation with the Near East and North Africa Plant Protection Organization (NEPPO). participating organizations and bodies, covering various national regions across continents in the consultation session hosted by the Weqaa Center, included: the Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission (APPPC), the Andean Community (CAN), the Plant Health Regional Committee for the Southern Cone (COSAVE), the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO), the Inter-African Phytosanitary Council (IAPSC), the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO), the Regional International Organization for Plant and Animal Health (OIRSA), the Pacific Plant Protection Organization (PPPO), the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA), and the Near East and North Africa Plant Protection Organization (NEPPO), which chairs the current consultation session. This was alongside the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), representing the general secretariat of continental organizations, in addition to the participation of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and several experts and specialists. Over the course of four days, the consultation session featured a series of technical sessions and discussions addressing key common issues and priorities in plant health. It also focused on exploring topics related to enhancing coordination and cooperation among regional organizations, as well as exchanging expertise and knowledge to support the development of joint efforts in plant protection across all organizations. Furthermore, the consultations covered the follow-up on outcomes from previous meetings, reviewed updates from regional plant protection organizations, and discussed several technical and strategic topics. This was in addition to exchanging updates on initiatives and cooperation frameworks with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), and exploring future directions and work plans among the participating organizations. current session also provided an opportunity for participants to exchange specialized experiences, practices, and expertise from various regions around the world. It further enabled discussions on common challenges, coordination mechanisms, and leveraging mutual expertise to support the plant health system. program accompanying the session included a field visit to a leading farm in Riyadh. During the visit, representatives from the organizations learned about several agricultural experiences and practices related to the agricultural sector and plant health, as well as the progress the Kingdom is witnessing through real-world models. This initiative served as an extension of the practical aspect and the exchange of field expertise within the consultations. holding of the current consultation session follows Riyadh's hosting of the Executive Committee meeting of the Near East and North Africa Plant Protection Organization (NEPPO) on October 3 and 4, 2026. This meeting discussed several organizational and strategic files related to the organization's work and future directions, as well as coordination among NEPPO representatives prior to the consultations. Together, these consecutive meetings established an integrated space for regional and international dialogue and coordination in plant protection. Kingdom's hosting of these meetings and activities, represented by the Weqaa Center, embodies its commitment to supporting regional and international cooperation in the field of plant health, providing an environment that brings together organizations and specialized expertise to exchange knowledge and experiences, activating channels of coordination and joint action, and shaping a unified approach that contributes to plant security and health, thereby supporting food security, as well as establishing joint frameworks to address challenges related to plant protection