International organizations outline efforts to advance the global goal on partnership
International organizations that are part of the Codex Alimentarius Commission discussed ways that they, as observers of the food standard-setting body, can support countries in achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17, which calls for a global partnership on sustainable development.
The ten panellists made suggestions that would strengthen collaboration to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade as well as promote “coherent policies and an enabling environment for sustainable development at all levels”.
Standard setting
Developing capacities in standard setting and implementation was identified as a priority by several of the organizations. “It is important that Codex continues to develop standards based on science through consensus, ensuring inclusiveness”, said Christiane Wolff of the World Trade Organization (WTO), who also called for the coordinated implementation of the recently ratified Trade Facilitation Agreement.
Several of the organizations indicated the need to engage stakeholders in an inclusive manner, the private sector, in particular. Nico van Belzen of the International Dairy Federation (IDF) noted that in agriculture public-private partnership is often an effective form of collaboration that leads to innovation.
Driving innovation
Mirko Montuori of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat invited Codex members and observers to work together on an innovative tool. “Electronic certification would greatly facilitate the effectiveness and efficiency of agricultural product trade by reducing the time needed to authorize import of goods, while also ensuring the confidentiality of the data”, he said.
ISO also brought up the possibility of sharing resources and tools, such a method of analysis for antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which was repeatedly mentioned as a pressing challenge.
Other priority areas mentioned included methods to ensure food authenticity, food product labelling and preparing for emerging risks and hazards to food safety. Panellists recalled the need for communication and advocacy efforts to grow the number of people aware of food safety and plant and animal health issues.
Codex for inclusive health, wealth and growth
The Codex Alimentarius Commission Chairperson Awilo Ochieng Pernet summed up the session with a simple but incisive message: “Codex for inclusive health, wealth and growth”.
The following organizations were represented on the CAC40 panel:
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA);
- International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC);
- International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV);
- International Dairy Federation (IDF);
- International Organization for Standardization (ISO);
- International Olive Council (IOC);
- Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF);
- World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE);
- World Trade Organization (WTO);
- United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
The Codex Executive Committee recently decided that SDG 17 is among the four to which it plans to contribute directly. The other three are: SDG 2 on zero hunger, SDG 3 on good health and SDG 12 on sustainable consumption and production.
Mia Rowan