The CCNASWP Region
Regional Coordinator Fiji
The 18th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, held in 1989, agreed to establish a new Coordinating Committee for North America and the South West Pacific, bringing together, in the words of the New Zealand delegation "far flung countries ... which have many common interests".
CCNASWP is a remarkably diverse region combining fully mature economies such as the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand with 10 small island states. The largest of these is Papua New Guinea (population over 7 million) and the smallest, the Cook Islands and Nauru with populations of around 10 000.
The regional coordinator is based within the Fijian Ministry of Agriculture.
Fiji looks forward to applying standards at the national level and supporting all countries in the region, especially the small island developing states, to establish a sound policy framework for food safety. These initiatives will support improvements in public health, ensure that imported food is safe and of the expected quality and develop increased access to international markets.
The regional coordinator will continue supporting work on regional standards and seeks to strengthen participation of the region in Codex in general. This can be achieved by continuing to develop capacity at the national level by enhancing the role of national coordinators and contact points for increased and effective participation in Codex.
CCNASWP Coordinator
All information on Codex is public and free.
For regional enquiries contact:
CCNASWP Secretariat
Ministry of Agriculture
Private Mail Bag
Hugh Robinson Complex
Raiwaqa,
Suva.
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.agriculture.gov.fj
South-West Pacific region creates local hub in Canberra for CCEXEC82
The 82nd meeting of the Codex Executive Committee (CCEXEC) is being held virtually from 20 to 30 June 2022. However, representatives from the South West Pacific region met in person ahead of the meeting to prepare for and participate in the meeting from a single location.
The Regional Coordinator for CCNASWP, Vinesh Kumar from Fiji, accompanied by Fiji’s Codex Contact Point, Susana Levula, travelled to Canberra, Australia, to join the Member for the South West Pacific, Tekon Timothy Tumukon of Vanuatu and his two advisors, Lisa Ralph from New Zealand and Scott Mersch from Australia.
The CCEXEC82 delegates from Fiji, Vanuatu, New Zealand and Australia met with senior officials from the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. They discussed the importance of strong engagement by the South West Pacific in Codex, shared insights on agricultural issues in their countries, and discussed opportunities for cooperation.
Andrew Metcalfe, Secretary, Dept of Agriculture, Water and Environnment, Australia (left)
with Vinesh Kumar, Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Fiji and Regional Coordinator for CCNASWP
Virtual preparation for CCEXEC82 commenced in March 2022 – papers were shared, positions were drafted, and robust discussions were held. Those with CCEXEC experience shared their knowledge with those new to the role.
The idea for the regional representatives to attend CCEXEC82 together was based on lessons learnt from the previous session. Members then had found it difficult to respond to evolving issues and to craft collective interventions from within a virtual setup. Attending the meeting as a region from a single location has significantly benefited advisors and the Member and Coordinator. They have found they can have active discussions, share views easily, and together draft the brief and agree on harmonized regional positions – and they can do so without fear of unreliable internet connections. Being together has strengthened relations, which in turn leads to a better understanding of countries’ positions, clearing the way for a more united regional position.
Meeting in person has also provided opportunities to begin planning activities for CCNASWP and the Codex 60th Anniversary in 2023.
Learn more
Codex Executive Committee 82nd session underway
Main photo
Delegates from Fiji, Australia, Vanuatu and New Zealand
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