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
Codex approves regional standard for kava products for use as a beverage
The Codex Alimentarius Commission approved a standard for kava products for use as a beverage when mixed with water today.
“The work started way back in 2004 in Apia, Samoa, and has taken 16 years to get here,” explained the representative of Vanuatu on behalf of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for North America and South West Pacific (CCNASWP), the region where the standard will be used.
Kava is part of the culture and the economy of the Pacific Islands. The root of the kava plant, native to the region, is used to prepare a traditional drink. The new regional standard for kava products for use as a beverage when mixed with water is expected to facilitate fair trade practices and strengthen local economies.
Kava - photo credit ©Joseph Brun_2020 (Vanuatu)
Countries in the CCNASWP were ‘super excited’ about the prospect of their first-ever regional standard being adopted at the first-ever virtual meeting of Commission, now in its 43rd session.
Vanuatu, who led the work to develop the standard through an electronic working group, recognized the support of several Codex Members. “I acknowledge the former colleagues from countries in the region who were also part of this work: Lemalu Simi (Samoa), Uelia Petelo (Samoa), Baegeorge Swua (Vanuatu), Akuma Malas (Vanuatu) and Gene Bule (Vanuatu),” he said. “I acknowledge also the support and understanding of all CCNASWP Members and other friends of kava who provided comments on the draft standard. New Zealand, your Codex team was excellent with its support.”
Having served as the Regional Coordinator since 2016, Vanuatu’s term has come to a close and Fiji has been nominated by the region to assume the role starting after the current session of the Commission.
Read more about the Regional standard for kava products for use as a beverage when mixed with water
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