Baku, Azerbaijan

In connection with World Food Safety Day on 7 June, an international conference was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, under the theme “Food Safety: Science in Action.” The event was jointly organized by the Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AFSA), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Partnership and Liaison Office in Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy (ADA) University.

The conference brought together representatives of government institutions, international organizations, and experts from scientific and educational institutions.

During the official opening ceremony, Zakiyya Mustafayeva, Deputy Chairperson of AFSA, emphasized that food safety is a fundamental prerequisite for sustaining life and protecting human health. She highlighted the importance of addressing food safety in a holistic manner within the framework of the One Health approach, noting that such an integrated perspective is essential not only for human well-being but also for ensuring the sustainability of the entire ecosystem.

Muhammad Nasar Hayat, FAO Representative and Head of the FAO Partnership and Liaison Office in Azerbaijan, reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to building strong, inclusive, and sustainable food safety systems. “One of the strongest tools we have in these efforts is the Codex Alimentarius Commission, a joint initiative of FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO),” he said. “We are proud of our cooperation with Azerbaijan. The Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Azerbaijan Food Safety Institute, and ADA University have demonstrated real leadership in building a modern, risk-based, and internationally integrated food safety system.”

Elkin Nurmammadov, Vice-Rector of ADA University, introduced newly developed academic programmes within the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences. He noted that these programmes were developed in collaboration with the University of Bologna and announced the forthcoming launch of a Bachelor's programme in Animal Sciences. He also underscored ADA University’s dedication to strengthening university–industry partnerships to promote innovation, applied education, and practical collaboration in the agriculture and food sectors.

In a video message to participants, Betül Vazgeçer, Vice-Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, commended Azerbaijan’s increasing role in Codex activities and expressed appreciation for its contributions.

The conference featured panel discussions on two key topics: “The Role of Food Systems: Integration of Human, Animal and Environmental Health” and “The Role of the Higher Education System in Ensuring Food Safety and Quality: Future Specialists and Innovative Scientific Approaches.”

As part of the conference, an exhibition of children's drawings on the theme of healthy nutrition was also organized, highlighting the importance of public engagement and education in promoting food safety from an early age.

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World Food Safety Day 2025 news