REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian candidate Purwiyatno Hariyadi has been elected deputy chairman of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) for the 2017-2018 period, noted a press statement from Indonesia's Permanent Representative in Geneva, Switzerland, received by Antara here, Friday. 

Codex Alimentarius is a collection of internationally recognized standards, codes of practice, guidelines, and recommendations relating to food as well as its production and security.

The election took place during the 40th CAC Meeting in Geneva on Thursday, July 19, 2017.

With support from Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Standardization Agency and Permanent Representative of Indonesia in Geneva, Purwiyatno, who is a professor at the Bogor Agricultural Institute, won 103 out of the 122 votes. He defeated candidates from England, Lebanon, and Papua New Guinea.

The top three candidates won three positions for the post of vice chairman of Codex. The Codex vice chairman will cooperate with the chairman of Codex Brazil. During the previous period, the chairman and vice chairmen of Codex extended their assignment term to two periods.

The CAC chair and vice chairmen from Brazil, Indonesia, the UK, and Lebanon will be incorporated in the Executive Committee, which is the Codex executive body.

Being active in Codex holds significance for Indonesia, as it sets international standards to serve as a global reference in food in order to protect consumer health and facilitate fair international food trade.

The Government of Indonesia is committed to encouraging the establishment of the Codex standards that are not only aimed at protecting the consumers' health but also realizing global food security by facilitating access to healthy, safe, and adequate food for people.

In addition, Indonesia's active participation in the organization aims to ensure that international food trade practices are fair.

Permanent Representative of Indonesia in Geneva Ambassador Hasan Kleib views the election of Indonesia's candidate as a form of recognition of the Indonesian professor's competence by 188 member states of Codex.

"The success will not only improve Indonesia's image and credibility at international forums but also influence the setting of international standards that affect access for the Indonesian food market," Ambassador Kleib explained. 

Kleib added that Indonesia's involvement in the preparation of Codex standards is needed to improve consumer health protection and ensure that Indonesian food products can be accepted in the international market. 

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