UAE BARQ برق الإمارات – نبضك
The UAE delegation, led by Mouza Suhail Al Muhairi, Deputy Director-General for Organisational and Administrative Affairs and Chairman of the UAE National Codex Committee (UAENCC) at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), participated in the meetings of the Codex Gulf Working Group (Codex) hosted by the Qatari capital, Doha.
Representatives from the Gulf Standardisation Organisation and supporting organisations, such as the Global Food Regulatory Science Society (GFoRSS), attended the meeting along with experts from international scientific bodies and heads of delegations from Member States.
The UAE delegation reviewed successful experiences and initiatives in food safety, including legislation, standards and technical regulations that support the food and beverage industry, enhance food safety and address emerging issues related to food and nutrition.
On this occasion, Mouza Al Muhairi stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation between GCC countries on various issues related to food safety, as the meeting contributes to raising the level of food safety in the region and improving the health of Gulf citizens.
She also delivered a presentation on “Developing an International Standard for Camel Milk.” The presentation included the proposal to develop an international standard for camel milk, previously approved by the Codex Alimentarius Committee of the Near East Region at its 11th meeting.
She highlighted the UAE’s efforts at the national level, including forming a technical committee to develop the camel milk standard and preparing a related document.
She additionally referenced the United Nations declaration of 2024 as the International Year of Camelids. This declaration presents a valuable opportunity to support the industry, as camels are a vital source of livelihood and food for millions of families in over 90 countries, particularly in the Arab region.
The presentation concluded with the UAE’s intention to hold an international forum in September 2024 to support and develop the camel milk industry. The forum aims to highlight the benefits and importance of regulating the production, standardisation, and distribution of camel milk. This, in turn, will support ongoing efforts to establish an international standard for camel milk within the framework of the Codex Commission.
Mouza Al Muhairi reaffirmed the UAE’s strong commitment to attaining top-notch food safety levels, to guarantee the delivery of secure and nutritious food to every member of society consistently.
She emphasised that food safety stands as a crucial foundation supporting food security and the sustainable environmental aspects of agricultural and food production. This, in turn, aids in fulfilling ambitions of the UAE leadership for a more prosperous and contented society.
The UAE National Codex Committee (UAENCC) was formed in 2020 to enhance the food security system, as the country aims, through its National Food Security Strategy, to make the UAE at the forefront of the global food security index by 2051.
