What's Happening?
On January 26, 2026, Codex Contact Points (CCPs) from the CCNE region and Arab Member Countries gathered for the 44th Coordination Meeting in Oman. The meeting, chaired by Dr. Intisar Al-Gharibi, CCNE Coordinator from the Sultanate of Oman, was part of the Arab Codex Initiative.
This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Arab Industrial Development, Standardization and Mining Organization (AIDSMO) and the Global Food Regulatory Science Society (GFoRSS). The primary focus of the meeting was to enhance regional coordination and participation in Codex work. Participants exchanged views, aligned regional priorities, and refined the regional work plan of the Arab Codex Initiative. The plan was formally endorsed, ensuring alignment with the CCNE workplan adopted at CCNE12 and the Codex Strategic Plan 2026-2031. This framework aims to guide regional coordination and effective engagement of CCNE and Arab Member Countries in future Codex processes and meetings.
Why It's Important?
The meeting is significant as it reinforces the collective engagement of the CCNE region and Arab Member Countries in Codex work, which is crucial for setting international food standards. By aligning regional priorities and refining the work plan, the initiative aims to ensure consistency and coherence in participation, which can lead to more effective advocacy and implementation of food safety standards. This coordination is vital for addressing regional challenges in food safety and quality, ultimately benefiting consumers and producers by ensuring safer food products. The initiative also supports the broader goals of the Codex Strategic Plan 2026-2031, which focuses on enhancing food safety and quality globally.
What's Next?
The endorsed work plan will serve as a guiding framework for upcoming Codex processes and meetings, ensuring that the CCNE region and Arab Member Countries are effectively represented and engaged. This could lead to more robust participation in international food safety discussions and the development of standards that reflect regional needs and priorities. The ongoing collaboration between AIDSMO and GFoRSS will likely continue to play a crucial role in facilitating this engagement, potentially leading to further initiatives aimed at strengthening food safety and quality in the region.
