Since 2022, Codex secretariats and FAO officers have been providing specialized training to new government officers entering the field of Codex work. This year, four Codex and FAO officers participated in a training programme organized by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of the Republic of Korea, held on 26 September. Nearly 40 young officers from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries attended the training.

The programme covered several critical topics:

• Codex standards for food safety and fair trade
• Cell-based food and NFPS (New Food Sources and Production Systems)
• Food safety and emerging issues
• Food safety and foodborne AMR (antimicrobial resistance)

In addition, sessions on international negotiation etiquette and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT, were also included.

"I’ve participated in the training since its inception, and it’s a great opportunity to stay updated on global discussions. This year’s focus on NFPS was particularly helpful, as it’s an important issue here in Korea," said Hyun Sue Choi, Scientific Officer.

"It is always exciting to meet the younger generation just starting their journey with Codex. Training provided by the Codex Secretariat benefits both Codex member countries and the secretariat, as it helps us understand their needs," said Dr Myoengsin Choi, Codex Secretariat.

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Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of the Republic of Korea