By the CCNE Coordinator and IUFoST

As part of the preparations for the 48th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC48), the Coordinator for the Near East (the Sultanate of Oman) convened a stakeholder engagement session held virtually on 27 October 2025, in conjunction with the 43rd regional coordination meeting of the Arab Codex Initiative.

The consultation emphasized the importance of inclusive participation—bringing together regulators, industry representatives, and regional organizations—to ensure well-informed and cohesive regional positions in Codex deliberations. Participants exchanged views on key agenda items of CAC48, explored opportunities for collaborative data-generation efforts, and discussed ways to strengthen transparency and structured communication between Codex Contact Points and regional stakeholders. Beyond the Intergovernmental organizations in charge of food standardization such as AIDSMO and the GSO, the meeting witnessed the participation of the International Dates Council, as well as the Arab Beverage Association and other regional and national food industry groups.

The session concluded with a shared commitment to sustain this consultative mechanism, reinforcing regional collaboration and contributions to the global Codex agenda.

Dr. Intisar Al-Gharibi, CCNE Coordinator, reaffirmed the region’s commitment “to collaborate closely with regional intergovernmental organizations toward establishing a structured and sustainable mechanism for Codex stakeholder engagement, as part of implementing the 2026–2027 work plan of the Codex Coordinating Committee for the Near East (CCNE), in alignment with the new Codex Strategic Plan 2026–2031”.

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The Arab Codex Initiative

Resources in support of the meeting

Recordings of the 43rd meeting are available in English (translation) and Arabic