2nd North America South West Pacific (NASWP) Codex Colloquium • 26-28 February 2024 • Nadi, Fiji - Global Food Regulatory Science Society (GFoRSS)

SECOND NORTH AMERICA SOUTH WEST PACIFIC CODEX COLLOQUIUM

26 – 28 February 2024, Walu Room, Sofitel Fiji, Nadi, Fiji

Second NASWP Codex Colloquium Report
(updated 27 May 2024)

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

Organized using tabs to represent each Colloquium day.
Orange text indicates an active link which opens its associated supporting document in a new tab.
Documentation is presented in PDF format, unless otherwise indicated.

Day 1 • 26 February 2024
Day 2 • 27 February 2024
Day 3 • 28 February 2024

PROPOSED AGENDA FOR DAY 1 • 26 FEBRUARY 2024
8.30	Registration
9.00	Official Opening, Introductory Remarks, and review of Colloquium’s agenda and objectives. § Representative(s) of the Government of Fiji § FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for North America and The South West Pacific Ø Andrew Tukana, Coordinator for CCNASWP § Opening Remarks: representatives of the Codex Programs of Australia and New-Zealand § Opening Remarks: representative(s) of the US Codex Office § Codex Bureau: Chair and Vice Chair Person(s) of the Commission Ø Steve Wearne, Chairperson, Codex Alimentarius Commission Ø Raj Rajesekar, Vice-Chairperson, Codex Alimentarius Commission *Order of introductory remarks to be determined based on Government of Fiji protocol requirements*
9.20	Review of the Colloquium’s Objectives and Agenda Ø Elisha Mala, Codex Contact Point of Fiji
9.30 – 13.00 SESSION 1 REVIEWING MECHANISMS OF CODEX COORDINATION & COLLABORATION IN THE NASWP REGION
9.30	Review of the Outputs of the Survey on Codex Capacities and Impediments to Participate in Codex Proceedings, including Coordination Activities Discuss a proposed approach for simplified self-evaluation of performance of food control systems and targeted food regulatory functions
10.00	Review of Outputs from the Questionnaire on Mapping Food Regulatory Responsibilities in the SWP (XLS) Outcomes of the Mapping of Food Control Functions and Competent Authorities An online questionnaire shared earlier with Codex Contact Points (CCPs), will enable the mapping of roles and responsibilities for food competent authorities in North America and the South West Pacific. CCPs will be asked to support filling the questionnaire. This session will help review the outputs – aiming for a regularly updated map of food competent authorities in the region, including key contact points for main food regulatory programs. Ø GFoRSS Team supported by members from the South-West Pacific Codex Team
*10.30 – 11.00 HEALTH BREAK*
11.00 – 13.00 SESSION 2 REVIEWING MECHANISMS OF CODEX COORDINATION & COLLABORATION IN THE NASWP REGION
11.00	Discussing and Agreeing on a Formal Mechanism for the Development of CCNASWP Regional Positions to be Communicated by One Member on Behalf of the Region Ø *Presenter and Moderator: Kenneth Lowery, US Codex Office*
11.45	Best Practices in Enhancing Regional Coordination under Codex Worksheet 1: How do we adapt coordinating to NASWP / How do we fulfil the role and ToR for most benefit of the region? (DOC) Worksheet 2: How do we support specialization in different committees by PICs? (DOC) Worksheet 3: What role could a regional focal point play? (DOC) Facilitated brainstorming on avenues to stimulate participation in Codex activities and on effective regional coordination. Ø *Moderator: Scott Mersch, Codex Australia*
12.30	Priority Committees for which Regional Positions may be Envisaged (2024 – 2025) Discussing Priority Committees for SWP Countries – Worksheet (DOC) Facilitated Discussions
*13.00 – 14.00 LUNCH BREAK*
14.00 – 16.30 SESSION 3 PROGRESSING ANALYTICAL METHOD DEVELOPMENT AND DATA COLLECTION IN SUPPORT OF CODEX STANDARDS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE NASWP REGION
14.00	What’s Next for Scopoletin, Kavalactone and Flavokavains Methods? Ø Richard Coghlan, National Measurement Institute, Australia
15.00	Opportunity to Structure Food Laboratory Activity in the Region Progress towards establishing the SWP Section of AOAC INTERNATIONAL The PQI Initiative Ø James Roberts, NMI Australia and SWP AOAC Ø George Joseph, Member of the Board of Directors, AOAC International – New Zealand Ø Stewart Jones, Asia Pacific Food Analytical Network, APFAN Ø Ulrich Diekmann, Pacific Island Forum, Quality Infrastructure Initiative
15.30	Review of the Requirements of Data Input into the GEMS Food Program and Opportunities to Submit Data to GEMS Food from the Region The Example of Scopoletin
16.30	Review of Day 1 Accomplishments End of Day 1

PROPOSED AGENDA FOR DAY 2 • 27 FEBRUARY 2024
9.00-12.30 SESSION 4 REGIONAL STANDARD DEVELOPMENT – PRIORITIES AND EARLY DELIVERABLES
9.00	Codex Capacity Development § Review of Requirements of Proposing New Work § Data Required for the Development of a Project Document (DOC)
10.00	Group Work – Developing Initial Drafts for Project Documents in Support of New Work to be Undertaken by CCNASWP (DOC) Review of important food safety and /or trade issues that are of interest to NASWP countries where Codex standards could offer a facilitation, including possible new work proposals on regional standards.
*11.00 – 11.30 HEALTH BREAK*
11.30	Presentation of Group Discussion Outputs
*12.30 – 14.00 LUNCH BREAK*
14.00 – 16.30 SESSION 5 RELIANCE ON CODEX STANDARDS TO DEVELOP NATIONAL FOOD CONTROL DECISIONS
14.00	Introduction to Food Labelling Food Regulatory Principles Based on Codex Ø Samuel Godefroy, ULaval, GFoRSS Codex Committee on Food Labelling – work already underway, possible new work items, and other agenda items Ø Alison Wereley, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
14.30	Reviewing Codex Guidance on Managing Contaminants in Food (Lead from New-Zealand) This presentation will enable to summarize the main Codex texts related to contaminants in food and will serve as a starting point to discuss adoption / adaptation of Codex standards at the national level.
15.00	Case Study – Adapting a Codex Standard on Contaminants in Food as a National Requirements Introduction of the Case study
15.30	Group Work Adapting a Codex Contaminant Standard to National Requirements – SWP Situation
16.30	End of Day 2

PROPOSED AGENDA FOR DAY 3 • 28 FEBRUARY 2024
9.00	Opportunities to Leverage Other Funding Sources for Codex and Food Control Enhancement Capacity Building Possible presentation from the Codex Trust Fund / WHO / FAO
10.00	Reviewing Day 1 and 2 Accomplishments Completed Worksheet 1: How do we adapt coordinating to NASWP / How do we fulfil the role and ToR for most benefit of the region? Completed Worksheet 2: How do we support specialization in different committees by PICs? Completed Worksheet 3: What role could a regional focal point play? Completed Worksheet – Discussing Priority Committees for SWP Countries Supporting the Role of the Regional Pacific Islands Focal Point
10.30	Charting Future Directions for the South West Pacific Codex Initiative – Towards a Codex Activity Calendar for the Region This activity will review the Codex agenda, identify areas of priority for the region and the way Codex Programs in the region intend to address these priorities.
*11.00 – 11.30 HEALTH BREAK*
11.30	Identification of Side Events / Workshops/ Capacity Building Initiatives on the Margins of CCNASWP17 Discussing the Agenda for CCNASWP17
12.00	Codex Strategic Plan 2025-2031 Ø *Moderators: Scott Mersch, Codex Australia* and Mary Frances Lowe, US Codex Office § How would CCNASWP Contribute to its Delivery? § Support to Addressing the CL Underway An overview will be provided to stimulate conversation concerning upcoming regional discussions.
13.00	Workshop Wrap-Up and Closing Remarks Ø CCNASWP Coordinator Ø Government of Fiji, Senior Representatives Ø US Codex Office Representative Ø Representatives Australia – New-Zealand Codex Ø WHO/FAO Officials Ø Heads of Delegations
*13.30 – 14.30 LUNCH BREAK*
14.30	End of Day 3