It is true to say Codex never stops and although all committee sessions have finished for 2021, a training course on international standard setting and the Codex Alimentarius, part of a Codex Trust Fund (CTF) group project involving India, Bhutan and Nepal took place from 21 to 23 December 20221 in Dhulikhel, Nepal with participants from Bhutan joining virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The three-day meeting included a simulation exercise where participants gained insight into the management and process of a Codex meeting playing all the key rolls from a regular Codex technical session.

The hybrid event was critical to transfer practical skills for the effective participation of Bhutan and Nepal in Codex Committee meetings and was facilitated by Mr. Sanjay Dave, former Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and Mr. P. Karthikeyan both from India.

CTF Project Coordinators hybrid meeting with Dr Tashi Samdup, Bhutan, connected via video conferencing

CTF Project Coordinators used the gathering to discuss opportunities and challenges in the implementation of this ground-breaking CTF group project where India, as the more experienced Codex Member supports the development of its two partners. The meeting was also a chance to explore future paths to sustainable collaboration and meaningful engagement in the Codex standard setting process among the three countries through bilateral and multilateral platforms.

“Participants were highly engaged throughout the simulation exercise because it was good practice and great fun, linking well with the theoretical aspects of the orientation training which also included a quiz,” said Gyanendra Gongal, WHO Regional Advisor for food safety.

“Working with experienced facilitators with practical knowledge and skills of how to operate in Codex meetings was a motivation for participants to play their roles in an efficient way.”

Learn more

Download Codex Trust Fund Year in Review 2018

Visit the CTF website hosted by WHO

Main photo: participants taking part in simulaiton exercise