The International Forum on Food Safety and Trade under the umbrella theme “The Future of Food Safety – Transforming Knowledge into Action for People, Economies and the Environment”, two events were held: the First FAO/WHO/AU International Conference on Food Safety, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 12-13 February 2019; and the International Forum on Food Safety and Trade, held at the WTO, in Geneva, Switzerland, on 23-24 April 2019, with the support of FAO and WHO, was attended by Senior Food Inspector(ag) Ms.Nunes.
The magnitude of the challenges and proposed knowledge-based actions to address food safety-related issues were highlighted.They also underlined the crucial role that investment in effective food safety systems, including in knowledge, human resources, institutions and infrastructure, can play in achieving food safety goals. While effective food safety systems have costs, the associated economic benefits and savings in public health expenditures outweigh these costs.
Food safety and trade are key enablers to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Together, the framework of international food standards and trade rules established by FAO, WHO and WTO supports Members in their efforts to achieve the SDGs, namely SDG 1 on poverty; SDG 2 on hunger, food security, nutrition and sustainable agriculture; SDG 3 on healthy lives and wellbeing; SDG 8 on economic growth, employment and work; SDG 12 on responsible consumption and production, and SDG 17 on global partnerships.
The Forum discussed the following pertinent areas related to Food Safety and Trade of which an overview was provided for the members of the National Food Safety and Control Committee:
The conference will result in a document summarizing key issues and recommendations from both, the Addis Conference and the Geneva Forum, to better align and coordinate efforts to strengthen food safety systems across sectors and borders.