Near East regional coordinator meets with the International Date Council on draft standard for fresh dates in run up to CCFFV23
.jpg?sfvrsn=90b0e20_0)
The newly appointed Chairperson of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for the Near East (CCNE), Ali Al-Ghaferi, of the Sultanate of Oman held a virtual meeting with representatives of the International Date Council to review the key elements of the draft standard for Ffesh dates and its possible impact on the date production industry. This meeting is part of ongoing preparations for the 23rd session of the Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (CCFFV23), which will be held in Mexico City from 25 February to 1 March 2025.
The discussions focused on seeking insights from the Council to support the possible development of a regional (Near East) position, related to the provisions to be discussed next month in Mexico.
“Dates are a strategic food and agriculture commodity for several countries of the Near East region, making it crucial to ensure maximum consultations of the regional coordinator for the Near East with key inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations as part of the stakeholders to be impacted by any Codex standard under development” declared Ali Al-Ghaferi, Chairperson of the CCNE.
It was agreed that further consultations will be organized in the coming days and weeks, as country positions are being developed in relation with this standard.
Oman was appointed regional Coordinator for the Near East at the 47th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
The International Date Council is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to enhancing international cooperation in the palm and date sector. It currently consists of ten member countries and is headquartered in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Read more
Related content
-jpeg.tmb-thb5x4.jpeg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=9b7f8bef_1)
CCNE strengthens regional coordination ahead of CAC49
As part of their continued commitment to strengthening regional coordination and enhancing participation in Codex activities, the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for the Near East (CCNE) and the Arab Industrial...
-png.tmb-thb5x4.jpeg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=4201df15_1)
The Near East region is strengthening participation in Codex
From the CCNE Secretariat The FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for the Near East (CCNE), in collaboration with the Arab Codex Initiative, continues to strengthen scientific coordination and regional engagement...
.tmb-thb5x4.jpeg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=9d3294cd_1)
UAE is committed to its role as geographic representative for the Near East
Abu Dhabi, 26 February 2026 The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was been elected as the geographic representative for the Near East region to the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission for...
Driving coordinated Codex engagement in Near East region
by the Sultanate of Oman as Coordinator for CCNE Codex Contact Points (CCPs) from the CCNE region and Arab Member Countries convened on 26 January 2026 for the 44th Coordination Meeting, chaired by Dr....
The Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission visits the SFDA’s Interactive Awareness Center
by the CCP of Saudi Arabia A delegation from the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), headed by its Chairperson, Allan Azegele, visited the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA)’s Interactive Awareness...
.tmb-thb5x4.jpeg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=1f9676d7_1)
CAC48 / From Code to Codex: Saudi Arabia hosts a side event on artificial intelligence
On the sidelines of the 48th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), hosted a high-level side event titled...
Stakeholder consultation strengthens regional engagement and coordination ahead of CAC48
By the CCNE Coordinator and IUFoST As part of the preparations for the 48th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC48), the Coordinator for the Near East (the Sultanate of Oman) convened a stakeholder...
CCNE meetings lay groundwork for CCSCH8 and CAC48
by CCNE Coordinator and IUFoST The 41st and 42nd meetings of Codex Contact Points (CCPs) from CCNE member countries were held virtually on 9 and 16 October 2025, chaired by Dr. Intisar Al-Gharibi, CCNE...
CCNE12 / Side event discusses novel foods and ingredients in the Near East
by the Sultanate of Oman and IUFoST A side event entitled “Novel foods and novel ingredients in the Near East: Unlocking innovation through regulation” was held on the margins of the Twelfth Session of...