Abu Dhabi, 26 February 2026

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was been elected as the geographic representative for the Near East region to the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission for the 2026–2028 term. The election took place during the 48th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in Rome, where Her Excellency Mouza Suhail Al Muhairi, Deputy Director-General for Regulatory and Administrative Affairs at the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) and Chair of the UAE National Codex Committee, was selected to serve as the Geographic Representative for the region and to represent the United Arab Emirates in this role.

The election reflects the strong confidence of Codex Members in the UAE’s technical leadership and its active role in advancing international food standards. It also highlights the country’s growing contribution to global efforts aimed at strengthening food safety systems and supporting sustainable agricultural development.

As geographic representative, the UAE will serve on the Codex Executive Committee. The role includes contributing to the development of strategic plans, guiding the overall work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, and ensuring that the priorities and specific conditions of the Near East region are considered in international standard‑setting processes.

Her Excellency Mouza Suhail Al Muhairi has more than 25 years of experience in administrative and scientific fields. She played a key role in establishing Abu Dhabi’s food control system and supporting the Emirate’s strong performance in global food safety indicators.

H.E. Al Muhairi also chairs the UAE’s National Codex Committee, (NCC) established under the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. The NCC includes representatives from government entities, the private sector, academia and research institutions. It coordinates the national position in Codex meetings and prepares technical studies and proposals to support the development of international standards aligned with national priorities.

Commenting on the election, H.E. Al Muhairi stated that the UAE’s selection “reflects the advanced status achieved by the country in food safety and food security, and reinforces its role as an active partner in shaping global food policy.” She added that the achievement is supported by the UAE’s strong international reputation, its leading performance in global food security indices, and its extensive technical expertise in food safety, quality and standardization.

H.E. Al Muhairi emphasized that the UAE is committed to supporting the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and to collaborating with Members to strengthen food safety and develop standards that reflect regional needs. She noted that the new role will enhance opportunities for regional and international cooperation and will contribute to advancing dialogue on key food security and safety issues. 

She concluded that the UAE will continue working with international partners to develop innovative standards that support sustainable agricultural development and enhance the competitiveness of national products in global markets, reaffirming the country’s commitment to protecting consumers and supporting the sustainability of food systems worldwide.

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