The Government of Suriname hosted the Conference of the Caribbean Food Safety Task Force 10–12 September 2024, where more than one hundred participants from across the food chain in the region, including policymakers, international technical experts, Codex Contact Points, members of the Caribbean Food Safety Task Force, and representatives from the food industry, gathered in the country’s capital, Paramaribo.

The focus of the meeting was "Food Safety in a Changing Climate: Safe Food, Healthy People, Stronger Communities". This event was jointly organized by the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), through the European Union-funded Suriname Agriculture and Market Access Project (SAMAP). 

One of the thematic areas of the meeting looked at how to increase engagement of Caribbean countries in Codex. These ‘Codex Engagement’ sessions highlighted why it is vital for the Caribbean nations to participate in Codex and offered practical advice on where to start and how to contribute effectively. The sessions walked the participants through the steps of how to prepare effectively for Codex meetings, the expectations of delegates at the Codex meetings, and the necessary follow-up activities needed once delegates are back in their respective countries.

Gavin Peters, the CEO of CAHFSA, emphasized CAHFSA's evolving role in the Codex framework. “CAHFSA became a Codex Observer in 2015. In this capacity, we are dedicated to adding value to Codex and facilitating events that advocate for Codex participation among our members,” he said.

Diego Varela, Vice-Chairperson of Codex, echoed the significance of observer participation in Codex. “Observers are crucial to Codex as they bring their expertise and local knowledge to the table. In the case of CAHFSA, their work in the Caribbean region is particularly valuable, linking food safety with plant health and animal health. This 'One Health' approach that CAHFSA embodies is exactly the kind of contribution that brings value to Codex.”

Cornelia Boesch, FAO Food Safety Officer, highlighted the importance of Codex to endeavours in the region: “It is great to see FAO prioritizing the Caribbean in building strong national food control systems with partners. Engaging in Codex processes is key to FAO's food safety efforts in the region,” she commented.

The conference also offered an opportunity to review the progress of the Codex Trust Fund (CTF), with Michael Hinsch, Coordinator of the Trust Fund, leading the discussion on how the CTF could assist Caribbean countries in enhancing their food safety systems. André Santos of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/WHO also joined in to provide country specific CTF-funded results from the region. Additionally, the Codex sessions also featured insights from Sarah Cahill, Secretary of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, and Alfred Barrett from Jamaica, who shared Jamaica’s experiences and successes within Codex.

As the Caribbean Food Safety Task Force continues its work, the continued coordination between partners such as FAO, PAHO/WHO and other regional partners will undoubtedly strengthen the region's contribution to global food safety standards through the Codex Alimentarius.

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