IAPPS ONLINE NEWSLETTER – May 2025

Participants included 35 ordinary members of COAHP (country representatives and experts in their own right), observer members (AGRHYMET Regional Center, FAO, WHO), representatives of the three Inter-Governmental Organizations (IGOs) signatory to the Cooperation Agreement in the field of pesticides, namely ECOWAS, West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA in French) and Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS in French), and technical and financial partners.

Main highlights of the 4th session:
Presentation of the COAHP Coordination Unit’s 2024 activity report and status of implementation of the COAHP roadmap.
This presentation showed that of the thirteen (13) recommendations made at the 3rd ordinary session of COAHP, two (2) have been fully implemented, four (4) have been partially implemented, five (5) are in the process of being implemented and three (3) have not been taken on board.

Presentations of Member States
In accordance with the COAHP Coordination Unit’s outline, the member states presentations focused on the following points:
• the legal and regulatory framework for pesticide management;
• the state of implementation of pre-registration activities (since the third ordinary session of COAHP);
• the status of registration activities carried out since the third ordinary session of COAHP;
• the status of post-registration activities carried out since the third ordinary session 

The presentations highlighted the non-existence of a National Pesticide Management Committee (CNGP in French) in line with COAHP guidelines in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal. Following these presentations, COAHP members were encouraged to trigger and influence dynamics at national level based on decisions taken at COAHP sessions. To this end, it was suggested to introduce in the country presentation plan a heading for the various interactions of country representatives with authorities at national level and the subjects discussed following COAHP sessions. Such initiatives could lead to more substantial mobilization of resources, as is already the case in some countries.

In addition, member states are reminded of the need to align national regulations with those adopted at regional level. However, the application of regional regulations should not prevent the application of specific decisions that have already proved their worth over the decades (e.g. labeling or label color).

Presentation of the summary of the three IGOs consultation meeting
This presentation was made by Mr Hilaire Sanou and covered two points: (i) a summary of the concerns expressed by the firms and suggested solutions, and (ii) the conclusions of the consultations held in October 2024 between the three IGOs (ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS).The solutions suggested to deal with the concerns expressed by the stakeholders of the private pesticide sector, included mainly the maintain of the tariffs applied by the Comité Sahélien des Pesticides (CSP) for registration fees.

The summary of the conclusions of the consultations held in October 2024 between the IGOs highlighted the various priority activities to be carried out in order to enable the first COAHP registration session to take place in 2025. In order to consider these priority activities, the COAHP’s three-year program of activities has been modified to focus on 2025. To ensure effective implementation of the priority activities, a monitoring committee made up of representatives of the three IGOs has been implemented.

Work of the technical sub-committees and feedback to the plenary session
Following the presentation of the terms of reference, Dr Richard Ouédraogo, Scientific Secretary of the Coordination Unit, gave a reminder of the constitution of the COAHP sub-committees, which will be the working groups. Subcommittee 2 on physical chemistry was strengthened with the addition of new members, increasing its membership from two (2) to eight (8). Rapporteurs have been appointed for sub-committees where none existed previously.

COAHP’s revised roadmap and annual work plan 2025
The revised roadmap, based on the recommendations of meetings between the IGOs and consultations with the various stakeholders, focuses on three (3) main areas:
• Support member states;
• The development of harmonized tools for pesticide registration;
• The capacity building for COAHP members.

With regard to the work plan for 2025, it is clear that support for member states will be provided through the implementation of four major activities, while the operationalization of COAHP comprises 15 activities.
Implementation of the 2025 work plan in accordance with the schedule will enable the first regional list of COAHP-registered pesticides to be made available.
Following the presentation, the 2025 work program was approved by the session, subject to the inclusion of some of the suggestions made by COAHP members. The suggestions are as follows:
• The speedy completion of the study on the baseline situation of pesticide analysis laboratories and research facilities;
• The consideration of the toxicology/ecotoxicology sub-committee in drawing up the HHP list;
• The need for a budget line for participation in international meetings.

Conclusion and recommendations
At the end of the meeting, participants validated the 2024 annual activity report and approved the COAHP Coordination Unit’s 2025 work plan. Participants expressed their firm intention to hold the first COAHP certification session in July 2025. To this end, the COAHP Coordination Unit is committed to ensuring that the COAHP roadmap is implemented. Several recommendations were made of the end of the meeting.

Dr. Souleymane Nacro
IAPPS coordinator for West/Central Africa
E-mail: [email protected]