Codex Trust Fund / Bhutan - "Achieving Leadership in the Codex Process"

Sep 24, 2021, 09:17 AM by System

by Codex office Bhutan

A three-day advocacy workshop on the theme “"Achieving Leadership in the Codex Process"” took place from 20 to 22 September 2021 at Drubchhu Resort, Lobesa, Punakha in Bhutan. Around 40 participants from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan, State Owned Enterprises, World Health Organization and World Food Programme country office attended the workshop. The sessions were facilitated by experts from India, WHO South East Asia Regional Office, New Delhi and FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok. The workshop was designed to;

  • strengthen the national Codex programme in Bhutan;
  • address some of the gaps identified using the Codex Diagnostic Tool;
  • increase the understanding on the importance of Codex standards for consumer protection and fair practices in food trade; and
  • enhance engagement in international standard setting process among the relevant agencies.

The opening session was graced by Dr. Tashi Samdup, Director General, Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority, Dr. Gyanendra Gongal, Regional Advisor for Food Safety, WHO SEARO, Dr. Shridhar Dharmapuri, Senior Food Safety and Nutrition Officer, FAO RAP. In his inaugural address, the Director General, BAFRA highlighted the important role of the relevant agencies in contributing to the work of Codex at national and international level to protect plant, animal and human health. Dr. Gongal commended Bhutan for taking proactive initiatives towards improving the food safety situation of Bhutan and reiterated the importance of benefiting from the Codex Trust Fund to better participate and contribute towards Codex work. Dr. Shridhar Dharmapuri emphasized the importance of using Codex texts to further strengthen the national food control system to achieve food safety and ensure fair practices in trade.

Workshop participants and experts

This workshop was part of the Codex Trust Fund tripartite project for Bhutan, India and Nepal, with the goal to strengthen the function of National Codex Structures through effective engagement of all stakeholders in Codex activities and standard setting process.

 

Learn more

Codex Trust Fund website

Publication: Codex Trust Fund Year in Review 2018

 

 

At the heart of the Codex mandate are the core values of collaboration, inclusiveness, consensus building and transparency. Governmental and non-governmental, public and private organizations alike play a vital role in ensuring Codex texts are of the highest quality and based on sound science.

Codex would have little authority in the field of international standard setting if it did not welcome and acknowledge the valuable contributions made by observers. Expert technical bodies, industry and consumer associations contribute to the standard-setting process in a spirit of openness, collaboration and transparency.

Intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can apply for observer status in Codex in order to attend and put forward their views at every stage of the standard-setting process.

Current Codex Alimentarius Commission

240
Codex Observers
60
IGOs
164
NGOs
16
UN

Codex Trust Fund / Bhutan - "Achieving Leadership in the Codex Process"

Sep 24, 2021, 09:17 AM by System

by Codex office Bhutan

A three-day advocacy workshop on the theme “"Achieving Leadership in the Codex Process"” took place from 20 to 22 September 2021 at Drubchhu Resort, Lobesa, Punakha in Bhutan. Around 40 participants from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan, State Owned Enterprises, World Health Organization and World Food Programme country office attended the workshop. The sessions were facilitated by experts from India, WHO South East Asia Regional Office, New Delhi and FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok. The workshop was designed to;

  • strengthen the national Codex programme in Bhutan;
  • address some of the gaps identified using the Codex Diagnostic Tool;
  • increase the understanding on the importance of Codex standards for consumer protection and fair practices in food trade; and
  • enhance engagement in international standard setting process among the relevant agencies.

The opening session was graced by Dr. Tashi Samdup, Director General, Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority, Dr. Gyanendra Gongal, Regional Advisor for Food Safety, WHO SEARO, Dr. Shridhar Dharmapuri, Senior Food Safety and Nutrition Officer, FAO RAP. In his inaugural address, the Director General, BAFRA highlighted the important role of the relevant agencies in contributing to the work of Codex at national and international level to protect plant, animal and human health. Dr. Gongal commended Bhutan for taking proactive initiatives towards improving the food safety situation of Bhutan and reiterated the importance of benefiting from the Codex Trust Fund to better participate and contribute towards Codex work. Dr. Shridhar Dharmapuri emphasized the importance of using Codex texts to further strengthen the national food control system to achieve food safety and ensure fair practices in trade.

Workshop participants and experts

This workshop was part of the Codex Trust Fund tripartite project for Bhutan, India and Nepal, with the goal to strengthen the function of National Codex Structures through effective engagement of all stakeholders in Codex activities and standard setting process.

 

Learn more

Codex Trust Fund website

Publication: Codex Trust Fund Year in Review 2018

 

 

Codex and Observer

Food is a sensitive commodity, which has travelled
around the world since ancient times.
We might not always know where it comes from,
but we expect it to be available, safe and of good quality.