Developing capacities of central Asian republics on Codex work, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, October 2012

This joint initiative of WHO/Europe and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) aimed to develop capacity for effective participation in the activities of the Codex Alimentarius in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Financial support was provided by the Codex Trust Fund.

Participants learned the basics about Codex: principles of work and procedures, activities and available standards, guidelines and recommendations. They also improved their understanding and utilization of Codex standards, capacities to use Codex documentation and prepare country positions.

Lessons learnt and experience in setting up responsibilities, activities and challenges of national administrative and technical Codex structures were shared, and participants discussed ways of building an efficient Codex programme at country level and enhancing cooperation on Codex issues in the subregion.

By involving professionals from food and veterinary authorities, public health, food standardization and economic development and trade, whose work is related to Codex activities, the training promoted intersectoral collaboration and provided an update on Codex Committee mandates and current technical items.