A live event held online for Codex Members and Observers on 29 July 2022 provided the first details of what the 45th Codex Alimentarius Commission will look like as a physical session scheduled for Rome beginning 21 November.

In opening remarks, the Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, Steve Wearne, United Kingdom, said “we have to continue to adapt and continue to address new challenges … and uppermost in my mind is the need to maintain the level of participation we’ve built over the past two years.”

“It was definitely not an easy decision,” to decide for a physical session said Codex Secretary Tom Heilandt, who outlined the background to the move including support from the Director General of FAO, fully in favour of a physical meeting with virtual participation.

For CAC45, even though a country may not be able to travel to Rome they will be able to participate fully. “That is something fantastic and something we have never had before,” said Heilandt.

Members from over 50 countries and from all six Codex regions were online to question the Codex Secretariat on details for CAC45. Participants underlined the need for all decisions regarding the process leading up to and for participation at the Commission to be clear and transparent including how voting, if required, will be organized. They stressed the importance of the official invitation for the session to be delivered as early as possible to facilitate administration at national level and to ensure that delegates travelling can obtain visas.

Updates on plans for CAC45 will be published on the Codex website and through the usual official channels.

Learn more

Watch the recording of the virtual meeting in EN, FR, ES videos.The audios are available in RU & ZH.

* Links will become active as files become available