Codex coordinators prepare for new regional meeting cycle, stress stronger coordination and capacity building

The Codex coordinators met with representatives of the Codex Secretariat, FAO and WHO, to prepare for a new cycle of FAO/WHO coordinating committee meetings, with six regional sessions scheduled between September 2026 and December 2027. The virtual meeting, moderated by Hilde Kruse, Senior Food Standards Officer in the Codex Secretariat, brought together 34 participants from across the regions and focused on strengthening coordination, communication, capacity development and practical support for the upcoming sessions.

Codex Secretary, Sarah Cahill, highlighted the important role of the coordinating committees within the Codex system he said as they provide a forum for identifying regional food safety and quality concerns, exchanging experiences, strengthening coordination and bringing regional perspectives into the global standard-setting process. The committees can also provide an entry point for newer Codex Members to become familiar with the system and participate more effectively in Codex.

A central theme of the discussion was the broad role of coordinators. Participants stressed that coordinators do more than host and chair committee meetings: they maintain contact with Members, identify priorities and capacity gaps, facilitate exchanges, connect countries with technical expertise and represent regional positions in Codex meetings and sessions of the Executive Committee. Anne Beutling, representing the Coordinator for Europe, described regular informal meetings, targeted communication, and peer-to-peer exchanges as useful tools for maintaining engagement between formal sessions.

Several coordinators pointed to persistent challenges, including limited resources, staff turnover and the difficulty of maintaining institutional knowledge. FAO and WHO representatives highlighted that capacity development should go beyond training individuals and instead strengthen institutions, procedures and policy and legal frameworks so that knowledge can be retained when personnel change.

The meeting addressed the importance of the use of regional “mini-teams” comprising the coordinator, and dedicated FAO and WHO personnel and Codex Secretariat staff. These teams are intended to provide continuity, harmonize preparations and tailor meeting agendas and keynote discussions to regional priorities. Participants called for further collaboration using these “mini-teams”.

The next meeting in the cycle, CCEURO34, is scheduled for 21–25 September in Berlin, followed by CCLAC24 in Montevideo, Uruguay on 23-27 November. In 2027, CCNASWP will meet in the Cook Islands in February, CCAFRICA in The Gambia in March, CCASIA in Japan from 29 November to 3 December, and CCNE in Oman on 5-9 December.

Organizational planning was another priority. The Codex Secretariat emphasized early preparation of host-country agreements, budgets, accommodation, interpretation, technology and other logistical requirements. Participants agreed that timely preparatory work and sustained communication would be essential to delivering the six upcoming meetings successfully.

The session concluded with the Secretariat committing to continued regular exchanges and support for the regional mini-teams as preparations advance.