The CCNE Region - Regional Coordinator Saudi Arabia
In 1999 the 23rd session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission established the Regional Coordinating Committee for the Near East, bringing together countries in the Near East Region (for FAO) and the Eastern Mediterranean Region (for WHO). The committee held its first meeting in Cairo, Egypt in 2001.
The current regional coordinator for the Near East is based in the Saudi Food and Drug Authority in Riyadh.
The coordinator’s goals in leading the region in Codex include developing and strengthening Codex Contact Points and National Codex Committees as well as improving communication and coordination amongst CCNE members, with other regions and the Codex Secretariat.
A further objective is to develop the exchange of scientific and technical expertise amongst experienced and less experienced countries in the region.
The coordinator aims to promote the use of Codex standards as a basis for national legislation and regulations and continue work developing and reviewing Codex standards taking into account regional interests.
News from the region
Kuwait produces video for World Food Safety Day
Kuwait is a food import-dependent nation and, as such, Kuwaiti authorities are very aware of the vital role food safety plays in ensuring their citizens have enough safe and nutritious food to eat. The Public Authority for Food and Nutrition in Kuwait works with different stakeholders in the food chain to emphasise the importance of food safety and of preventing foodborne diseases.
In a statement, the Authority said: “The global burden of foodborne disease calls for collaborative and joint efforts among [...]
05 June 2021
CCNE region to come together under the leadership of the new Regional Coordinator
On 7 April 2021 the Members of the CCNE region will come together virtually for an informal meeting under the direction of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, confirmed as the new Regional Coordinator at CAC43.
The meeting aims to review the ongoing work of CCNE and strengthen communication and collaboration on Codex work across the region. Virtual meetings have become a valuable tool to maintaining contact with Codex members and observers during the ongoing pandemic and ensuring that the work of Codex [...]
31 March 2021
Bringing the Arab region closer together in Codex
Mariam Eid, Vice Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, addressed the 14th Dubai International Food Safety Conference - “Building Resilient and Sustainable Food Systems” - held online from 29 to 30 November 2020.
In describing how countries in the Arab region can harness the opportunities provided by engaging with the Codex Alimentarius, she emphasized the importance for countries to establish their priorities in order to raise awareness of food safety. “Countries of the region must convince decision-makers of the importance of [...]
02 December 2020
Food safety is an issue of concern to all in Qatar
The Ministry of Public Health of Qatar organized a series of initiatives in celebration of World Food Safety Day that made news headlines in June 2020. During a webinar a draft Arab food safety policy was presented. The Arab Food Safety Team of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States had tasked Qatar with preparing the initial draft, which is ‘to provide the technical basis for joint coordination and standardization of procedures among the competent authorities in the [...]
08 July 2020
Food safety is everyone’s responsibility and everyone’s business in the Near East
Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa, and Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, issued a joint statement on 7 June 2020 on the occasion of World Food Safety Day. The statement highlighted the crucial role of safe food in promoting health and ending hunger.
"Without universal access to safe food, the 2030 Agenda will be impossible to achieve. Everyone has the right to safe, nutritious and sufficient [...]
26 June 2020
Health and Agriculture team up to celebrate WFSD in Lebanon
FAO, WHO and Ministry of Agriculture took the WFSD opportunity to express together appreciation to everyone who contributes to ensuring the safety of food, especially in light of the challenges the world is facing because of globalization and open markets, in addition to the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic.
They celebrated the WFSD by undertaking a media campaign through the development of a brief on WFSD, a joint press release, an infographic with the five messages of the campaign and twitter [...]
19 June 2020
Tunisia celebrates World Food Safety Day
As part of the World Food Safety Day celebrations the Tunisian National Agency for Sanitary and Environmental Control of Products (ANCSEP), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and all governmental and non-governmental parties involved in food safety, come together to consolidate food safety efforts and support actions to ensure food safety.
This year World Food Safety Day addresses "Food safety in markets" especially in times of COVID-19.
In this context, ANCSEP and the World Health Organization, in collaboration with all [...]
07 June 2020
Saudi Arabia celebrates World Food Safety Day
In commemoration of World Food Safety Day (WFSD), the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) is participating in the celebration of the second WFSD through a series of events and activities under the theme “Food safety, everyone's business”. These activities include number of webinars over two days, awareness infographics, clips, and participation in some TV programs to enhance food safety awareness.
Webinars (Arabic Language)
Webinar 1: Assuring Food Safety, 7th June 2020 (10:00 – 10:30 KSA time)
Webinar 2: Feed products safety, 7th June 2020 (11:00 – 11:30 KSA time)
Webinar 3: Pesticide residues in food, 8th June 2020 [...]
07 June 2020
Food safety in the time of COVID-19 webinar - Sunday 7 June 2pm (GMT+3)
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology - Food Safety Webinar
Sunday, June 7, 2:00 – 3:00 P.M. (GMT +3) Participate Online
Chris Sealey, Vice President, Community Life invites you to join Community Life, in celebrating the World Food Safety Day on June 7. The action-oriented campaign theme is "Food safety, everyone's business" and aims to enhance global food safety awareness.
Food safety is a shared responsibility. This webinar is designed to share information and resources regarding food safety and COVID-19. The goal is to support informed actions in the community since everyone, from farm [...]
05 June 2020
Qatar to promote food safety in a two-week campaign
On the occasion of World Food Safety Day on 7 June 2020, the Ministry of Public Health of Qatar will organize a two-week virtual campaign under the theme “Food safety, everyone's business” to promote awareness to consumers by disseminating brochures, banners and messages through social media, radio, press interviews and a press release. The campaign aims to encourage consumers to follow containment-related health measures while grocery shopping and to improve their knowledge about food hygiene and the risks associated with handling food [...]
04 June 2020
Video Message
CCNE Coordinator
All information on Codex is public and free.
For regional enquiries contact:
CCNE Secretariat
Saudi Food & Drug Authority
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Tel: +966 11 2038222 Ext:3347
Email: [email protected]