The Mediterranean Phytopathological Union (MPU) is a non-profit society open to organizations and individuals involved in plant pathology with a specific interest in the aspects related to the Mediterranean area considered as an ecological region. 

The Union organizes general congresses to facilitate the spread of information and news of scientific material and bibliographical data on plant diseases occurring in the Mediterranean area; to increase contacts among plant pathologists working on similar problems in various parts of the region, and to create opportunities for them to meet; to promote studies and researches on diseases of Mediterranean crops and their control under comparable conditions; to encourage joint research projects, comparative experiments, and exchange of students among different countries.

Presidents of MPU were in succession A. Ciccarone, G. Viennot-Bourgin, A. Graniti, E.C. Tjamos, F. Lamberti and presently K.M. Makkouk. They were assisted by members from different countries.

A scientific committee responsible for organizing the meetings was founded since the first meeting. It consisted of the local organizers and other leading scientists in the field.

The chronological order of meeting places that have hosted the MPU Symposia  have been: