by Mr. Celestin Ntahomvukiye
Codex Contact Point Burundi

Five East African Community Partner States Burundi, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda are currently implementing a Codex Trust Fund (CTF) group project with the aim of strengthening national Codex Structures. One of the identified activities is to establish a twinning programme between partner states with well-functioning structures and those with their structures still under development. Burundi was allocated to Kenya for this mentorship program.

The Codex Contact Point (CCP) from Kenya in liaison with CCP Burundi successfully implemented the first phase of the exercise on 3 to 7 October 2022, at Bujumbura. The programme comprised of a series of activities including enlightening the participants on various materials available for Codex work, a one-day national conference to discuss the importance of Codex Standards to the economy, the process of setting up a national Codex committee as an organ for Codex work at national level and practical sessions to develop materials that will assist Burundi to kick start the process of setting up their own national structures.

Ms. Maryann Kindiki, CCP Kenya informed the participants that the success of any national Codex structure depends on the commitment of the CCP, both as an individual and as an institution. She therefore encouraged the Burundi Bureau of Standards (CCP for Burundi) to take the lead in implementing the lessons learnt during the programme.

Mr. Celestin Ntahomvukiye, CCP Burundi, noting the challenges of government support, expressed the desire to develop strategies to ensure that Codex Structures are functional at national level.

At the end of the programme both parties drafted a strategic pathway for implementation and a programme for phase two. Kenya will continue offering support to Burundi in setting up the national structures in preparation for this second phase which would be to monitor the progress of implementation and offer further guidance.

Learn more

Codex Trust Fund website