Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures - Technical assistance to developing countries - Communication from Japan - Addendum

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Communication from Japan

Addendum

The following communication, received on 20 October 2025, is being circulated at the request of the Delegation of Japan.

 

_______________

 

 

1.  In response to the Secretariat's request in _G/SPS/W/101 to gather information on technical assistance provided by Members, Japan is pleased to share an update on the provision of technical assistance related to sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures during the Japanese fiscal year 2024.

2.  Japan has provided technical assistance to developing countries and least developed countries in accordance with Article 9 of the SPS Agreement, with the primary objective of facilitating the enhancement and implementation of sanitary and phytosanitary measures necessary to achieve an appropriate level of sanitary and phytosanitary protection in these countries based on sound science.

3.  The attached table indicates Japan's assistance committed between April 2024 and March 2025. The total is valued at approximately 293 million Japanese yen. The cumulative total amount of technical assistance provided since April 2009 has reached approximately 11 billion Japanese yen, with the number of projects collectively totalling 124 in more than 50 countries across Asia, the Pacific region, Central America, South America, and Africa. Japan's assistance has been directed not only toward individual countries but also to groups of countries, regions and the international community.

4.  Japan has implemented technical assistance mainly through Official Development Assistance (ODA). For example, Japan partnered with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), an incorporated administrative agency that primarily manages the overseas aid programme, aimed at improving and enhancing SPS measures.

5.  Japan's assistance falls into three broad categories as outlined in _G/SPS/GEN/206: information; training; and "soft" infrastructure development. The wide-ranging assistance includes staffing experts to international organizations, namely FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) and WOAH Regional Representation for Asia and the Pacific, holding workshops, study tour and training courses on food safety, animal health, and plant protection, as listed in the Annex of _G/SPS/GEN/206. Japan remains committed to enhancing a clear understanding of the SPS Agreement and relevant international standards, strengthening implementation capabilities, and developing human resources through technical assistance.

 


Technical Assistance Provided by Japan to Members, Observers

and Other Countries

In FY2024 (April 2024 to March 2025)

Sector

Description of Programme (FY)

Form of Assistance

Provided to

Food Safety, Animal Health and Plant Protection

Project of general support for SPS-related measures and transboundary animal disease measures in Asia

1. Contribution to FAO on SPS-related technical assistance for Asia Pacific region

- Dispatch of two experts (RAP)

- Workshops, training courses and information exchange meetings on international standards

(2020–2024)

2. Contribution to WOAH on SPS-related technical assistance for Asian developing countries

- Development of roadmap for controlling transboundary diseases such as foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the Asian region

- Promotion of disease surveillance

- Workshops and meetings on transboundary diseases

(2020–2024)

Training and "Soft" Infrastructure

Developing Countries in the Asia-Pacific Region

Animal Health, Food Safety

Project for Improving Services for Animal Health and Safety of Foods of Animal Origin

Improvement in the management of the animal health and safety of foods of animal origin based on the surveillance system

(2023-2027)

Training and "Soft" infrastructure

(JICA project)

Paraguay

Food Safety

Food safety administration

- Training

- Study tour

(2024)

Training and "Soft" infrastructure

(JICA project)

Bangladesh, Cuba, Fiji, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, North Macedonia, Philippines

Food Safety

Information exchange program on food safety administration (food contaminants, etc.)

- Lecture

- Study tour

(2024)

Information and training

Malaysia

Animal Health

WOAH/JTF Project for Controlling Zoonosis in Asia under One Health Concept

1. One Health and Veterinary Services

To prevent and control Zoonosis under One Health approach

- Expert meeting and workshop

To strengthen capacity of Veterinary Services

- Training courses co-organized with WOAH Reference Centres

2. Good Governance

To strengthen good governance of Veterinary Services and animal welfare

- Regional seminar

(20232024)

Training and "Soft" Infrastructure

Developing Countries in the Asia-Pacific Region

Animal Health

Project for improvement of institutional capacity for Foot-and-Mouth Disease control

(20192024)

Training and "Soft" infrastructure

(JICA project)

Myanmar

Plant Protection

Project for enhancing the capacity of plant quarantine staff aiming at promoting the export of agricultural products

(2019, 2023 and 2024)

Training

(JICA project)

Kyrgyz Republic

Plant Protection

Practical Plant Quarantine Techniques of Agricultural Products (Test Method for Disinfestation of Fruit Flies)

(2024)

Training
(JICA Project)

Cambodia, Fiji, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Viet Nam

 

__________