CCNASWP17 / Interview with the Chairperson
As Fiji gears up to host the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for North America and South West Pacific (CCNASWP) for the last time in this term, we spoke with the Chairperson, Andrew Tukana, about achievements, hopes and expectations for the upcoming meeting.
What benefits have you seen as consequence of your work in the region?
First of all, I must thank Fiji’s former Coordinator of CCNASWP, Vinesh Kumar, for the great work in hosting the meeting in in 2023 (CCNASWP16).
As the Coordinator of CCNASWP, I have represented the region at various meetings at the Codex Executive Committee and Codex Alimentarius Commission. Having said this, I work closely with the CCNASWP and Codex secretariats, and I provide updates and advice to the region on the various areas of Codex work that are critical to the region.
Apart from representing the CCNASWP region, I have worked closely with the technical team on the drafting of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for methods relating to kava. This work will support implementation of the Regional Standard for kava products for use as a beverage when mixed with water (CXS 336R-2020). The adoption of this standard provided some significant impact on the commercial kava pilot programme and the formulation of the Regional Kava Strategy.
The hosting of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) solution forum late last year in Fiji also saw some interrelated discussions on food safety and the theme of transforming agrifood systems through better production and better nutrition. I was fortunate to be part of the hosting of this event and relating most of these discussions to the current work on Codex and food safety.
On the Codex Trust Fund, two countries were successful in obtaining approval for a project to support their effective participation in Codex.
What, in your view, are the emerging and current food safety and quality issues in the region?
In my view, some of current and emerging food safety and quality issues in the Pacific region include increasing numbers of street food vendors. This is common in the Pacific region where there is a growing number of people selling food in the streets. However, most practices related to selling food in streets do not comply with proper hygiene practices and standards, or with food safety legislation.
On the food system, there is a need for better stakeholder engagement in the food space to ensure that food being traded (locally or internationally) complies with proper hygiene and food safety regulations.
What are your hopes and expectations for this meeting and what is your legacy as Coordinator for CCNASWP?
My hopes and expectations at this meeting are as follows:
As Coordinator for the NASWP region and Chairperson of CCNASWP, I am hoping that Fiji will successfully conclude its term despite the challenges faced especially during the incidence of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this, I would hope that the regional Members will agree on the SOP for methods related to the Regional Standard for kava products for use as a beverage when mixed with water (CXS 336R-2020).
At the Codex colloquium held in February 2024, Members suggested a number of new work proposals to be submitted at the CCNASWP17 meeting. Hence, at the upcoming CCNASWP17, it is hoped that these new submissions will be endorsed by the Members for further facilitation.
I also hope that there is a need to strengthen the capacities on Codex standards and food safety for Pacific Island countries. The Codex Trust Fund should continue to support SIDS nations especially in the Pacific, to assist countries to strengthen their capacities on areas relating to food safety and food standards.
My legacy as the Coordinator has been the development of the SOP for kava for the CCNASWP region.
I also hope that initial work on the submission of new work on regional standards on Galip nut and breadfruit flour, and a worldwide standard on fresh turmeric should add to the achievements for the region.
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