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 calls for closer collaboration as FAO/WHO regional meeting gets underway in Nadi
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs and Communications, Hon. Manoa Kamikamica (pictured centre), speaking on behalf of the Prime Minister and the Government of Fiji, opened the 16th Session of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for North America and the South-West Pacific (CCNASWP), taking place from 30 January to 3 February 2023 in Nadi, Fiji.
“Today’s rapid changes in trade, travel and commerce call for an international standard-setting system that is able to respond more quickly to new situations,” said Kamikamica. “Since the trade, nutrition and food safety elements are so closely connected, closer collaboration between different sectors and interactions between the Codex and other global players will be essential.”
The Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Hon. Vatimi T. T. K Rayalu urged Members, especially the Pacific Island countries to increase their participation in Codex work . “This would improve our contribution to Codex standards formulation,” he said.
The Chairperson of the Code Alimentarius Commission, Steve Wearne, United Kingdom (pictured left) spoke of the value of regional coordinating committees in the Codex calendar allowing members of a region to meet, discuss, plan and act together. “This meeting is particularly important as the first formal meeting of the 60th anniversary year of Codex,” he said.
The meeting will address food safety issues of particular relevance to the region and further development of a standard for noni juice. Delegates will also have an opportunity to learn more about Codex Trust Fund opportunities for the South-West Pacific countries.
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Photo credit ©Ministry of Agriculture Fiji
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