The 47th meeting of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) has opened in Geneva, Switzerland, ahead of a historic session that will see final discussions on Codex’s new strategic plan for the period 2026–2031 as well as elections for a new Chairperson and Vice-Chairpersons, . In addition to this will be the work of discussing and adopting new Codex texts and a number of new work proposals.

Opening remarks were given by the Directors-General of both of Codex’s parent organizations. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), welcomed the delegates focusing on the need for Codex to respond to the “rapidly evolving” global landscape, where challenges such as climate change and antimicrobial resistance are impacting on food safety and nutrition. Touching upon the theme of “looking to the future” for this year’s CAC, Dr Ghebreyesus said “Codex standards must not only address the present but also anticipate future needs, promoting nutrition and food safety while ensuring public health, fostering fair trade and facilitating the transition to sustainable food systems.”

In a video message, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Qu Dongyu, also underlined Codex’s vital role in the future of food safety and trade, by saying that “to ensure we maintain the relevance and impact of this important global body, the work of Codex should continue to be based on an evidence-based, holistic system thinking, based on science.” The FAO Director-General signalled that the upcoming strategic plan would need to be collaboratively and innovatively implemented in order to achieve these aims. Both Directors General commended the outgoing Chairperson and Vice-Chairpersons for their service to the Commission.

The WTO Deputy Director-General, Jean-Marie Paugam, spoke in honour of the 30 years since the conclusion of negotiations that led to the formation of the WTO. He made clear the importance of the work of Codex, providing as it does the reference standards for food under the WTO’s Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement). “Codex standards such as the ones that you will adopt here this week play a critical role in international trade,” he said. “Representatives of WTO Members, most of which are also FAO and WHO members and represented here today, recognized this 30 years ago … They recognized Codex as THE reference for food safety for international trade in food.” He made the point that Codex is central to many of the debates at WTO and, while some of those debates hear differing opinions, “whatever their divergences, our Members have one fundamental conviction in common:  they recognize that the SPS Agreement supports safe trade.”

Codex Chairperson, Steve Wearne, also gave an opening speech – his last as CAC Chairperson - focusing particularly on the development of the new strategic plan – an event, he noted, that takes place even less often than the election of new officers to the Commission. He encouraged delegates to review the draft Plan in advance of this week’s discussion on the topic.

“As Codex Secretary, my vision for the future, in support of yours, focus on a few areas: efficiency and inclusivity, visibility and engagement, and science and consensus building” said Sarah Cahill, Codex Secretary addressing CAC as Secretary for the first time “Within the Codex Secretariat, we recognize the challenges ahead, and we are fully committed to supporting Codex Members and Observers”

During the week-long meeting, Codex Members will discuss several texts for adoption forwarded by the different Codex subsidiary bodies, that will contribute to protecting consumer health and ensuring fair practices in the food trade.

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CAC47 webpage