GENEVA — Saudi Arabia has been re-elected as Vice-Chair of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CODEX) during the commission’s 49th session in Geneva, Switzerland. Saudi Arabia joined CODEX — the international body responsible for setting food standards, guidelines, and related texts on food safety and quality — in 1968 and has served as Vice-Chair since its election in 2024, in addition to its membership in the CODEX Executive Committee. Represented by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), the Kingdom will continue serving in the leadership of CODEX until the end of the next regular session, the 50th session, scheduled for 2027. The re-election reflects international confidence in Saudi Arabia’s growing role in supporting CODEX’s work, contributing to the development of science-based international food standards, fostering consensus among member states, and building capacity through joint training programs and workshops for member states and observers. SFDA Chief Executive Officer Prof. Hisham Aljadhey expressed pride in the Kingdom’s re-election to the post, saying it reflects the support and empowerment provided by Saudi Arabia’s leadership, as well as the international standing the Kingdom has attained in food safety and public health. He said Saudi Arabia will continue to support CODEX’s work and its 2026–2031 strategic plan while actively contributing to the development of international food standards and aligning them with scientific advances to enhance food safety, protect consumer health, and support the sustainability of food supply chains and international trade. The post is held by Khalid bin Saud Al-Zahrani, who was first elected in 2024 and re-elected as CODEX Vice-Chair in 2025. CODEX has 189 member states and operates under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
