DOHA: Qatar on Thursday hosted the eighth meeting of ministers concerned with food safety in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which was chaired by Minister of Public Health HE Dr Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari.
Addressing the meeting, she showcased the important achievements of the Ministerial Committee concerned with Gulf Food Safety, explaining the importance of joint work to ensure the enhancement of food safety in the GCC countries following the best international standards, to meet the aspirations of the Gulf citizens.
Their Majesties and Highnesses, leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, give great attention to the food sector, its safety and quality, Dr Al Kuwari said explaining that the GCC countries have worked to develop, enhance and integrate strict procedures and standards to ensure the safety of food products in terms of monitoring and examining them, assessing potential risks and taking the necessary preventive measures, in addition to exchanging information and experiences.
She explained that food safety is one of the pillars of public health, an essential tool for sustainable development, and a strategic goal to achieve food security requirements. The risks associated with food are diverse, and cross borders, which increases the challenge for regulatory authorities, and requires them to follow a modern, advanced, and renewed approach to ensure food safety.
She pointed out that Qatar made a remarkable achievement during the country's hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, as these massive events were free from any food-related incidents.
For his part, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic and Development Affairs in the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Khalid bin Ali bin Salem Al Sunaidi, said that food safety has become a major element in public health, represents an influential factor in food trade, and plays a major role in the economies of the GCC countries.
He stated that in 2022, the total volume of trade exchange of agricultural and fishery products among the GCC countries exceeded $40bn.He stressed that the Committee of Ministers concerned with food safety in the GCC countries is making great efforts to develop the necessary legislation, laws and guidelines to ensure food safety in accordance with applicable regional and international standards, and to take the necessary procedures and measures to protect the citizens and residents of the GCC countries.
The meeting discussed a host of important topics pertaining to food safety, in addition to following up on the latest developments regarding the indicative application of both the Gulf Guide to Control of Imported Foods and the mechanism for imposing and lifting the ban on the import of foods made of animal elements.