The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs and Communications, Hon. Manoa Kamikamica (pictured centre), speaking on behalf of the Prime Minister and the Government of Fiji, opened the 16th Session of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for North America and the South-West Pacific (CCNASWP), taking place from 30 January to 3 February 2023 in Nadi, Fiji.

“Today’s rapid changes in trade, travel and commerce call for an international standard-setting system that is able to respond more quickly to new situations,” said Kamikamica. “Since the trade, nutrition and food safety elements are so closely connected, closer collaboration between different sectors and interactions between the Codex and other global players will be essential.”

The Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Hon. Vatimi T. T. K Rayalu urged Members, especially the Pacific Island countries to increase their participation in Codex work . “This would improve our contribution to Codex standards formulation,” he said.

The Chairperson of the Code Alimentarius Commission, Steve Wearne, United Kingdom (pictured left) spoke of the value of regional coordinating committees in the Codex calendar allowing members of a region to meet, discuss, plan and act together.  “This meeting is particularly important as the first formal meeting of the 60th anniversary year of Codex,” he said.

The meeting will address food safety issues of particular relevance to the region and further development of a standard for noni juice. Delegates will also have an opportunity to learn more about Codex Trust Fund opportunities for the South-West Pacific countries.

Learn more

CCNASWP16 web page.

Photo credit ©Ministry of Agriculture Fiji