1. The Codex Alimentarius Commission held its Twenty-sixth Session at FAO Headquarters, Rome, Italy, from 30 June to 7 July 2003. Mr. Thomas J. Billy (USA), Chairperson of the Commission presided, assisted by the Vice-Chairpersons Dr. David Nhari (Zimbabwe), Mr. Gonzalo Riós (Chile) and Dr. Stuart Slorach (Sweden). The Session was attended by 481 delegates, alternates and advisors from 124 Member countries, and 77 representatives from 48 international governmental and non-governmental organizations including UN agencies. A list of participants, including the Secretariat, is given in Appendix I to this report.
2. The Session was opened by Mr. David Harcharik, Deputy-Director General of FAO and Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, Director-General of WHO (by video), respectively.
