The 17th session of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for North America and the South West Pacific has commenced in Nadi, Fiji. The meeting was opened with a traditional Fijian welcome, after which the Honourable Vatimi Rayalu, Fiji’s Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, gave his opening remarks, together with representatives of FAO, WHO and the Codex Alimentarius.

“Food safety is not just a regional concern, it is a global priority that represents one of the most pressing challenges in trade, public health and consumer protection,” said the Honourable Minister. In describing those challenges, he listed evolving threats such as climate change, global supply chain dynamics, shifting dietary trends and emerging pathogens. “The necessity of safeguarding our food systems is more critical than ever,” he said, recognizing the great progress that has been made in the region, thanks in part to the Codex Trust Fund, and committing to ensuring that progress continues: “Together we have the power to shape a brighter future for food safety in our region,” he concluded.

In a pre-recorded message, the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) Chairperson, Allan Azegele described his commitment to Codex work: “As Chairperson,” he said, “my vision is to ensure Codex remains the foundation of the global food system, protecting consumer health, facilitating fair trade practices, and addressing emerging challenges with science-based solutions.” He was pleased to note the agenda items on discussion about the Codex Strategic Plan, which, he said “continues to inform our responses to the new opportunities and challenges that are posed by our ever-changing operating environment.”

In her virtual address, the Codex Alimentarius Secretary, Sarah Cahill, described the differences between the regional FAO/WHO coordinating committees and Codex committees, and the vital role the coordinating committees have in providing leadership, representing the Members of the region at CAC and leading discussions on how to address regional issues. All of this, she explained, “allows regions to focus on issues of specific relevance to them to find the most efficient and effective solutions for their region.” She referred to the two regional standards developed by CCNASWP, on kava and on noni juice, which demonstrate that the Committee has done much work to promote and protect regional issues. In the case of these two standards, these are indigenous, traditional commodities. Cahill noted that this demonstrates “how Codex can indeed optimally play a role in the safety and quality of indigenous foods.” She thanked Fiji for hosting the meeting, acknowledging the hard work needed to lead a committee.

On behalf of FAO, the subregional coordinator for the Pacific islands and FAO Representative for Fiji, Guangzhou QU, also congratulated CCNASWP Members on their excellent work of the last few years, and highlighted the two regional standards, which “symbolise the strong technical collaboration of all Members”. He also noted the relevance of traditional food systems to CCNASWP work, and that they “can play a pivotal role in the context of healthy diets.” QU also referenced the two Codex Trust Fund projects in the region and thanked donors for their support to the Fund, which need continued support, which, he said, is vital.

Sophie Genay-Diliautas deputy WHO Representative to the South Pacific had three key points to make in her remarks: firstly she described some of the key statistics related to foodborne disease in the region, and she then made the point that, in spite of these risks, food safety does not receive the attention it deserves. She commended Fiji for being a trailblazer in the region and a prominent promoter of food safety. For her third point, she suggested that food safety must be addressed through multi sectoral action: food safety issues are inextricably connected and this, she said, requires “us to work in ways that enable collaboration across relevant sectors and actors.”

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CCNASWP17 webpage
Fiji Times: Codex Committee for North America and South West Pacific Region starts today