In December 2024, the Codex Trust Fund (CTF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) of the Republic of Korea, organized the third joint training on good Codex practices. A total of ten trainees from five CTF beneficiary countries (Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Rwanda and Senegal) participated in the training, which focused on:

• Korea’s inter-governmental cooperation for participating in Codex meetings, and introduction to work experiences
• Guide to the Codex standards development process relating to traditional Korean food
• Efforts and procedures for developing scientific data related to Codex standards
• Imported food safety management systems and dispute settlements in relation to the World Trade Organization’s (WTO’s) Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) in the Republic of Korea
• Introduction to the Republic of Korea’s use of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) food safety management system

“The lessons learnt through this training and the field visits met my expectations insofar as I had gaps in how to prepare national meetings to participate in Codex meetings. Korea's experience in preparing and participating in Codex meetings was a great inspiration,” said Désiré Rudaragi, Secretary of the National Codex Forum in Burundi, Burundi Bureau Standards and Quality Control (BBN).

The training included field trips to a Kimchi manufacturing plant (Han-ul) and an innovative food production hub (CJ Blossom Campus), introducing participants to different ways of producing food in the Republic of Korea, including aspects relevant to food safety and implementation of and adherence to national and international standards. Participants also visited the Nonghyup Agricultural Products Logistics Center in Anseong, which serves as the largest agricultural hub in the central region.

Seeing such a different reality gave me hope that I could see the same thing implemented in my country. It gave me the courage to continue fighting for public health in my country.

Janete Evora, Codex Cabo Verde, Independent Health Regulatory Authority (ERIS)

Participants found the training not just interesting but of direct relevance to the work they are doing in their own countries. “We want to make our National Codex Committee more efficient, and we'll be drawing inspiration from the Korean example to correct and improve our procedures,” said Kounady Diop, Codex Technical Secretary in Senegal, who highlighted the very concrete and practical insights the training offered regarding ongoing work in the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Africa: “In particular, we will draw inspiration from the Korean Kimchi model to enhance the value of Senegalese traditional foods such as kéthiakh, a draft regional standard for which is currently being sent to the Codex Secretariat.”

Edson Dos Santos, CCP Cabo Verde, also identified aspects of the training for which he could see a very practical application back home: “The exercises and discussions between the various delegations were important. I would highlight the exercise on the “aflatoxin” issue, which encourages us to strengthen our national capacity to develop national positions on Codex proposals, and how links with neighboring countries can help in their formulation.”

The MFDS expressed optimism about the training programme, stating, “we hope this programme will further strengthen Codex cooperation with participating countries, contributing to capacity building for developing nations, and promoting fair and safe food trade through the effective implementation of international food standards.”

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Codex Trust Fund website