“A shared responsibility” - Allan Azegele to chair his first Codex meeting

The 88th Session of the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC88) will take place at FAO Headquarters in Rome 14–18 July 2025. As Allan Azegele, Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, prepares to lead his very first Codex meeting, we spoke with him ahead of the session to understand his initial thoughts, the challenges he anticipates, and his vision for guiding the discussions that lie ahead.

Allan, thanks for your time. As you prepare to chair a Codex meeting for the first time, what are your initial thoughts and feelings, and what do you think will be unique aspects about leading this session?

Being the first Codex meeting since I was elected, it’s with a feeling of excitement that I take up the role of Chairperson, with a well-balanced team of Vice-Chairpersons who bring a great mix of technical and leadership experience.

I will be keen to reflect on the role of the Executive Committee to act on behalf of the Commission as its executive organ. More specifically the roles related to making proposals on strategic planning and to assisting in the management of the Commission’s programme of standards development by conducting a critical review. This Committee will have to reflect on unique situations which have arisen from committees for considerations, for example committees working by correspondence which may need to be reviewed.

Talking about CCEXEC88, what are the most critical agenda items, in your opinion, or what decisions do you anticipate, and how do you plan to guide the discussions to achieve successful outcomes?

We have received recommendations from six committees, which met between January and May of this year, for final adoption (Step 8 and Step 5/8), Step 5 adoption, revocation, discontinuation, and new work proposals. These will be considered by CCEXEC in its capacity as a work management committee, supporting CAC in agreeing to new work and advancing and adopting standards.

CCEXEC88 will also be considering a specific agenda on the Codex Strategic Plan 2026-2031: Proposed monitoring framework prepared by the Codex Secretariat. This discussion and results will provide a clear monitoring framework to measure progress against strategic goals and outcomes. CCEXEC88 will review comments on the revised version of the monitoring framework that will be sought by Members and Observers through a circular letter.

I look forward to joining everyone in person and this being my first CCEXEC meeting as Chairperson, I plan to share the chairing of individual agenda items with the Vice-Chairpersons, to ensure productive, inclusive, and consensus-based decision-making. This is a shared responsibility that includes the active participation of executive committee Members. It will be important to share views and concerns openly with each other in advance, and be open to opportunities to find consensus. Time will be of the essence, and I hope that Members will have prepared their interventions with time limitations in mind.

The global food landscape is constantly evolving. What do you see as the most significant challenges and opportunities for Codex in the coming years, particularly in core areas of interest for Codex, like food safety and international food trade?

Indeed, the global food landscape is constantly evolving. Looking to the future, the rise in antimicrobial resistance, microplastics, and food fraud are some of the issues where Codex must keep up to date with new scientific evidence and evolving risks.  Emerging technologies like gene editing, cell-based meat, and AI in food systems have outpaced standards setting. There is a need for Codex to respond faster to evaluate and integrate innovations while maintaining safety and consumer confidence. Climate change is altering agricultural practices and food safety risks (e.g., mycotoxins, pests). Codex will be required to consider the intersection of food safety, environmental sustainability, and food security. National interests can delay consensus on standards and potentially hinder harmonized trade. This together with challenges by Member countries to engage fully in Codex work or implementation of standards may limit global inclusiveness and slow global harmonization.

And what is the role CCEXEC can play in this context?

CCEXEC has specific roles delegated to it by our Codex Procedural Manual, including advising CAC on strategic planning, and studying special problems. This provides the Executive Committee with the ability to consider proposals which would address emerging issues and assist in the management of the Commission’s programmes of standards setting.

Anything else you wish to share?

Just to say that the Vice-Chairpersons and I are looking forward to meeting Executive Committee Members in Rome and preparing for a productive and efficient 88th session of CCEXEC.

Read more

Meeting webpage including all working documents