The three-day 9th International Conference of the Phytopathological Society (ICPPS), held from November 16–18, 2025, successfully concluded at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) on Tuesday. The conference, titled “Combating Plant Pathogens in Changing Climate for Sustainable Food Security,” was jointly organized by the Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, PMAS-AAUR, and the Pakistan Phytopathological Society (PPS). The inaugural session was graced by Prof. Dr. Mohammad Akmal, Chairman Pakistan Science Foundation, as the Chief Guest, while Dr. Liaqat Ali Khan, Project Director Green AI, served as Chief Guest for the closing ceremony.
Leadership remarks on climate and food security
Addressing the ICPPS participants, Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman, Vice Chancellor PMAS-AAUR noted that plant diseases combined with shifting climatic conditions continue to endanger agricultural productivity and long-term food sustainability. He stressed that the theme of this year’s conference is both timely and critical, expressing confidence that the scientific community will advance practical and impactful solutions. He commended the organizers for their commitment to strengthening global food systems through research and collaboration.
ICPPS international participation and hybrid format
The event brought together renowned scientists, researchers, and experts from Pakistan and across the globe. Conducted in a hybrid format, the conference featured both in-person and online participation, allowing several international speakers to join onsite while others delivered their talks virtually. During the sessions, distinguished guests and keynote speakers highlighted that accelerating climate change poses profound threats to global agricultural resilience. They emphasized that plant pathogens are rapidly evolving, disease boundaries are expanding, and challenges to food security are intensifying. The insights and collaborative research presented at the conference were recognized as essential for developing innovative, science-based solutions and fostering global scientific partnerships.
Technical sessions and knowledge exchange for climate-resilient agriculture
The ICPPS conference featured technical sessions, panel discussions, expert lectures, poster presentations and an exhibition, providing a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange. Participants from academia, research institutions, and industry engaged in interactive dialogue to promote data-driven and climate-resilient agricultural practices.
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