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
CCNASWP / Fiji meeting an excellent opportunity to reconnect
“After last having met as a region in 2019, the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for North America and the South West Pacific (CCNASWP16) provides an excellent opportunity to reconnect and exchange views concerning food standards and food control in the region,” said FAO’s Dirk Schulz, in Nadi, as preparations for the session neared completion.
WHO will be represented at the meeting by Jessica Kayamori Lopez. "This meeting will be a great opportunity to revisit the priorities of the region and hear from our Member States about the adjustments and adaptations in food safety systems that the pandemic imposed. Based on that, we hope to be able to tailor our actions and synergize our support to address major challenges that Member States are facing. Guided by our Regional Framework for Action on Food Safety in the Western Pacific, WHO intend to promote safe food for all and protect people’s health by advancing food safety systems so Member States are able to manage food safety risks and respond to food safety incidents."
Hilde Kruse, Codex Secretariat, said: “This is the first Codex meeting in the year of the Codex 60th anniversary, and Fiji will be kicking off the celebrations highlighting the importance of Codex not only internationally, but also at regional and national levels. CCNASWP16, is also the first Codex subsidiary meeting to be conducted in a hybrid modality, leading the way for maximum inclusiveness.”
Alongside the main agenda, delegations will also take part in a session on the Codex Trust Fund (CTF). Programme Administrator Michael Hinsch, WHO, spoke of the potential for CTF to provide support to countries in CCNASWP. Out of eight eligible countries in the region, so far only two are receiving CTF support to engage more effectively in Codex work.
“In addition to direct country support, we plan to broaden assistance on a regional level as well, by providing training that benefits more than one country. Pacific Island Countries face a number of challenges, some of which are unique to the region. This is why we are holding a side event at this meeting to identify the most beneficial type of support the Codex Trust Fund can provide to CCNASWP,” he said.
The committee will also discuss a draft regional standard for fermented noni juice which Schulz hopes will be further developed at the meeting.
Learn more
CCNASWP / Vinesh Kumar sets the scene for Fiji as the FAO/WHO regional meeting approaches
Photo credit ©FAO/Goro Maruno
Codex Secretariat, FAO and WHO prepare for CCNASWP16 with the Host Secretariat
Leave a comment