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CCAFRICA25 / A week of work and celebration gets under way

27/01/2025

The 25th session of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Africa has commenced in Kampala, Uganda, marking the fiftieth anniversary of the Committee.

All speakers at the opening ceremony acknowledged the regional and global challenges faced by countries in the CCAFRICA region, and recognized Codex as key in addressing those challenges related to food safety and trade. “Emerging hazards, climate change, and new technologies require our regulatory systems to adapt quickly,” said the Honourable Francis Mwebesa, Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives. “While harmonized standards are essential, their value lies in the extent of their implementation.” He went on to highlight the need to develop capacities within food businesses and to modernize food control systems.

The Honourable Ltd. Col. (Rtd.) Bright Rwamirama, Minister of State for Animal Industry echoed the sentiments of the Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives: “By strengthening the food control system so as to improve the quality and safety of locally and internationally traded food commodities and raising the profile of Codex and food safety issues, we will position our countries for improved access to regional and international markets,” he said.

James Kasigwa, Executive Director of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) drew on a report by the International Organization of Standardization (ISO) to emphasize that the “availability and use of standards contributes to 23.7 percent of gross domestic product growth in the country.” “Uganda’s exports for coffee, tea, fish, milk, fats and oils, cereals and pulses, fresh fruits and vegetables and related products,” he went on, “have significantly increased over the last 20 years as result of implementation and application of relevant national, regional and international standards including those developed through the Codex system.”

It was fitting that Codex’s newly elected Chairperson, Kenya’s Allan Azegele should make his maiden speech as Chairperson to CCAFRICA: “This my home region,” he said, continuing: “As Chairperson, my vision is to ensure Codex remains the foundation of the global food system, protecting consumer health, facilitating fair trade practices, and addressing emerging issues with science-based solutions. As we gather here today, we are reminded of the essential role that food safety, quality, and trade play in shaping the future of Africa’s food systems.”

By ... raising the profile of Codex and food safety issues, we will position our countries for improved access to regional and international markets

- Honourable Ltd. Col. (Rtd.) Bright Rwamirama, Minister of State for Animal Industry, Uganda

Codex Secretary, Sarah Cahill, recalled the 50th anniversary of CCAFRICA and went on to explain that her vision for an efficient Codex will see “cautious and smart” standards development, echoing the sentiments of Codex’s executive committee that “the goal should be to take as horizontal an approach as possible to standards so that we can meet multiple needs.” She also touched on some challenges faced in the standards development process, which includes the need for robust data. She expressed a desire to see the Committee “explore innovative approaches to promote investment in data collection on key food safety issues.”

Collaboration was a key theme for both FAO and WHO in their opening remarks. FAO representative to Uganda, Antonio Querido, said “The path to a safer, higher quality food system in Africa lies on our collective commitment. By aligning our efforts with international standards and fostering the regional collaboration, we can create a sustainable, resilient food system for better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life, living no one behind.” On behalf of WHO representative, Dr Kasonde Mwinga, Ms Kiera Koch made the point thatThis meeting therefore provides a forum for Member States, for all of us here to coordinate our food standards work and discuss food safety and quality issues of common interests to the region.”

Read more

CCAFRICA25 webpage

 

Photo credit © UNBS