The 16th Pan-African National Codex Contact Point Officer Meeting, held from October 30th to 31st and resuming on November 4th, 2024, opened with an address from Dr. Huyam Salih, Director of AU-IBAR. Dr. Salih emphasized Africa's steadfast commitment to advancing food safety and public health through Codex Alimentarius, positioning this gathering as a key moment for Africa to solidify its influence in global food standards, essential to promoting food security and sustainable development across the continent.
A significant objective of the meeting is to establish unified African positions for the upcoming 47th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, with a focus on advocating Africa’s interests in food trade, protecting public health, and supporting sustainable agricultural practices. Dr. Salih encouraged all participants to engage actively to develop impactful strategies that amplify Africa’s presence on the global stage.
An important highlight was the forthcoming election for the Codex Chairperson, for which Dr. Allan Azegele stands as Africa’s candidate. Dr. Salih urged all Member States to work with their Geneva embassies to support Dr. Azegele’s candidacy, underscoring that his leadership would be a historic advancement, bringing African perspectives to the heart of Codex’s decision-making.
Dr. Salih also showcased AU-IBAR’s recent achievements in bolstering food safety across Africa. Notable accomplishments include:
- Risk-based inspection training for food inspectors, enabling them to better manage food safety risks and ensure compliance.
- Capacity-building initiatives in food safety risk assessment and Codex data generation, reinforcing Africa's scientific input in Codex discussions.
- Initial steps towards establishing a Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed in Africa, aimed at swift responses to food safety threats.
- Expert consultations across Codex Committees, resulting in consolidated African positions for ten Codex Committees, which reflect Africa’s leadership in Codex dialogues.
Further advancing Codex’s impact, John Oppong-Otoo, Coordinator of AU-IBAR’s Economics, Trade, and Marketing Unit, spoke on the importance of Codex standards for Africa, calling them a global benchmark that strengthens public health by reducing foodborne illnesses and enhancing consumer safety. He noted that Codex also supports Africa’s food security ambitions, contributing to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) goal of tripling trade by 2025.
Looking ahead, Dr. Salih announced a mentorship collaboration with the United States Codex Office aimed at empowering young African professionals in Codex work, thereby ensuring that Africa's contributions to global food safety endure through future generations.
The meeting further emphasized the need for harmonized food safety standards across Africa, with a focus on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises that drive the continent’s food economy. Through regulatory cooperation and promoting compliance with food safety standards, AU-IBAR is working to advance food security, stimulate sustainable development, and create economic opportunities across Africa.
“Together, we are building a safer, more resilient Africa, respected for its high standards, inclusive economy, and influential role in strengthening global food safety” Dr. Salih concluded. Other experts from various Codex Committees contributed insights on current food safety challenges and opportunities across Africa, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in addressing these issues. As AU-IBAR continues its work in Codex, it remains a key leader and advocate for food safety in Africa, actively shaping global standards to reflect the continent’s unique needs and priorities.
