The hybrid Annual Diagnostics Workshop 2024 (ADW 2024) and Annual Surveillance Workshop (ASW 2024) took place at the Twin Towns Conference and Events Centre in Tweed Heads, NSW, from 19–21 March 2024.

Plant Surveillance Network Australasia-Pacific (PSNAP) and National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostic Network (NPBDN) shared their knowledge and learnings, and facilitated connections and collaborations through presentations, panel discussions, and workshops.

The second day of ADW 2024 overlapped with the Annual Surveillance Workshop (ASW) 2024, allowing both NPBDN and PSNAP members to meet and network between sessions.

Highlights of ASW 2024 included:

• 23 presentations, including three presentations delivered by invited guests Prof Michael Douglas who spoke about the evolution of large research collaboration supporting biodiversity conservation and environmental management; Dr Heleen Kruger who shared her insights into unlocking the potential of general surveillance programs in remote regions; and Dr Desi Ramoo who discussed the challenges posed by brown marmorated stink bug in New Zealand and the adoption of new surveillance technologies and preparedness techniques
• a panel session delivered by delegates from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Timor Leste that addressed the topic of surveillance perspectives and case studies from our near neighbours
• two presentations from our successful 2023/2024 PSNAP residential awardees
• three shoulder workshops: overview and demonstration of AUSPestCheck®; introduction to National Surveillance Protocols (NSPs) and their applications; and putting NSPs into action
• 74 in-person delegates attended the event from all Australian states and territories, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, and New Zealand, with 35 virtual attendees.

Highlights of ADW 2024 included:

• 31 presentations, including three presentations delivered by invited guests Andrew Turley from CSIRO who presented a national approach to biological collections; Andrew Geering from the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation who presented a review of Begomoviruses and whiteflies in the Top 42; and Cait Selleck from Agriculture Victoria who spoke about froghoppers and potential vectors of Xylella fastidiosa
• a panel session delivered by Francesco Martoni, Reannon Smith, and Elizabeth Fowler on non-destructive nucleic acid extraction methods
• seven presentations from our successful 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 NPBDN residential awardees
• three shoulder workshops: the fundamentals of the Australian Plant Pest Database (APPD); National Diagnostic Protocols (NDP) development and review; and rapid molecular assays to detect honey bee mites
• 70 in-person delegates attended the event from all Australian states and territories, New Zealand and Florida in the United States, with 82 virtual attendees.

Keep an eye out for news regarding the upcoming Virtual Annual Diagnostic and Surveillance Workshop, to be held on Wednesday, 5 June.

The National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostic and Surveillance Professional Development and Protocols Projects are coordinated and delivered by Plant Health Australia and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The projects aim to enhance and strengthen Australia’s diagnostic and surveillance capacity and capability to identify priority plant pests that impact on plant industries, environment and the community.