In recent years, Phytophthora has emerged as an important pathogen of various landscapes in South Africa and globally, causing devastating diseases having irreversible effects on the landscapes. In South Africa, post-planting mortality of cold-tolerant Eucalyptus species caused by Phytophthora alticola has affected the commercial deployment of pure Eucalyptus nitens . Various other Phytophthora species are continuously affecting our South African forest landscapes, such as P. cinnamomi , P. frigida , and P. nicotianae . Similarly, avocadoes and citruses are threatened by P. cinnamomi , P. citrophthora , P. citricola , and P. nicotianae . The iconic Proteas in the Cape Floristic region are also under severe threat. Understanding the importance of this pathogen in Africa and globally, FABI will host the first-ever IUFRO Working Party 07.02.09 Phytophthora in Forests and Natural Ecosystems conference in Africa! This conference will be chaired by Dr Tanay Bose ( TPCP ) alongside a team of world-renowned plant pathologists, including Prof. Bernard Slippers (FABI), Prof. Almuth Hammerbacher (FABI), Prof. Irene Barnes (FABI), Prof. Mike Wingfield (FABI), Dr Trudy Paap (FABI), Prof. Treena Burgess (FABI & Murdoch University), Dr Niklaus Grunwald (USDA & Oregon State University), Dr Bruno Scanu (University of Sassari), Prof. Thomas Jung (Phytophthora Research Centre, Mendel University in Brno), and Dr Tyler Bourret . Save the Date: 12-21 September 2026 Location: Grabouw, Western Cape, South Africa Early-bird registration and abstract submission opens on 1 October 2026 For more information, visit our conference webpage or contact Dr Tanay Bose . This is a great opportunity to share your cutting-edge research, connect with global experts in Phytophthora and plant pathology, and contribute to solutions tackling Phytophthora threats in natural and commercial landscapes.