This International Women’s Day, 8 March 2023, the UN is calling on governments, activists and the private sector alike to power on in their efforts to make the digital world safer, more inclusive and more equitable.

The Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU), taking place in Duesseldorf, Germany from 7 to 10 March has much to celebrate with women the focus of a hugely successful start to the session. The first day of discussion saw the conclusion of ten years of work as the Committee agreed to send the Review of the Codex Standard for Follow-up Formula to the Codex Alimentarius Commission for adoption in November 2023.

Charlotte Channer (second from right) with the New Zealand delegation at CCNFSDU43 ©FAO/Codex

Charlotte Channer, New Zealand, who steered the plenary through the remaining sections of the text to be finalized said: “I feel an absolute sense of pride and elation that the Committee has come together to reach a point of consensus and work to progress the standard so we can start using it. We feel that it's a huge improvement on what we currently have and we think that's great for infants and young children and the protection of them going forward.”

The Chairperson of the Committee, Anja Brönstrup, Germany said: “This is a present for me as Chair to really experience that. The Committee was making so much effort to complete this work and to carry it over the finish line. I'm really amazed.”

As part of the celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and to coincide with women’s day, the Codex Secretariat prepared a timeline recalling the key role women have played, leading committees in Codex.

Timeline of women leaders in Codex - undergoing updates ©FAO/Codex

Celebrations at CCNFSDU also included a remarkable Codex cake and an opportunity for delegations to wish the Codex family a happy sixtieth birthday.

Chairperson Anja Brönstrup and co-chairperson Martine Püster ©FAO/Codex

Indian delegation celebrating Codex 60th anniversary at CCNFSDU43 ©FAO/Codex

Learn more

CCNFSDU43 meeting page

Photo credit

Main picture (back left to right): Emily Krueger, Martine Püster, Anne Beutling. Front: Vanessa Beier, Hilke Thordsen-böhm, Anja Brönstrup - Germany

©FAO/Codex