icipe is designated as a Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Reference Centre for vectors and vector-borne animal diseases. FAO Reference Centres are institutions selected by the Director General of the organisation to provide specific, independent technical or scientific advice on issues related to its mandate. The centres are chosen on the basis of their high level scientific expertise, their commitment to capacity building and provision of services. Selected institutions must also have demonstrated ability to contribute to capacity building in their areas of expertise.
icipe was designated as a Reference Centre of FAO after a thorough evaluation of its mandate, main activities and competencies in vector borne animal diseases. The Centre’s initial designation commenced on 1 August 2012 for a period of four years, ending on 31 July 2016. Based on the degree of progress and compliance, as well as quality contributions made by icipe to assist FAO in its mission of providing authoritative advice to its Members, and in particular the developing countries, the Centre’s designation has been renewed for a further four-year period, running from 1 August 2016 – 31 July 2020.