Qatar General Organization for Standardization (QS), in cooperation with the GCC Standardization Organization, held a course titled "Participation in the CODEX meetings Best Practices," with the participation of experts from all GCC countries.
The two-day course was lectured by President of the Global Food Regulatory Science Society (GFoRSS) Prof. Samuel Godefroy.
The course aims to exchange knowledge, experiences, and global, regional, and national best practices in the field of Codex Alimentarius activities. It also provides insights into Codex programs, its Contact Point, and preparatory means for annual meetings and related technical committee meetings. Additionally, it emphasizes appropriate approaches to coordinate positions and achieve consensus on various issues discussed in the Codex Alimentarius meetings.
The opening remarks of Qatar General Organization for Standardization stressed that the State of Qatar pays great attention to matters related to Codex Alimentarius and food safety, and that it has been a supporter of a GCC working group that follows the Gulf Technical Committee for Food and Agricultural Standards, which Qatar currently chairs and serves as its secretary. Qatar actively coordinates efforts at the national, Gulf, Arab, and international levels and has national standard committees representing various relevant entities, including industrial and commercial bodies. It also supports the GCC Standardization Organization's directions and plans within the work of the GCC technical committees, contributes to the preparation of Gulf standards projects, and monitors their implementation at the national level, in coordination with relevant authorities in the State, with the aim of implementing the standards and protecting consumers' health and safety.
In its speech, the GCC Standardization Organization said that this course comes as a continuation of the courses and programs implemented within the annual training plan of the Organization for this year, and as an extension of the initiative to strengthen the activities of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in the Gulf region in particular and the Arab region in general, and that it has issued more than 1,900 unified Gulf technical regulations and standards in the food, agriculture, and halal sectors. Close cooperation exists between the organization and Codex Alimentarius in supporting member states, whether in coordinating their international positions or enhancing activities. The organization also collaborates with Arab and international organizations. (QNA)
