Food safety (Resolution)

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ R E S O L U T I O N REGIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC COMITE RÉGIONAL DU PACIFIQUE OCCIDENTAL WPR/RC68.R6 12 October 2017 FOOD SAFETY The Regional Committee, Recalling the World Health Assembly resolution on Advancing food safety initiatives (WHA63.3) and the Regional Committee resolution on the Western Pacific Regional Food Safety Strategy (2011–2015) (WPR/RC62.R5); Recalling also Regional Committee discussions in 2015 regarding the need to strengthen food safety systems with an updated framework to guide efforts; Noting that an evaluation completed in 2017 of the Western Pacific Regional Food Safety Strategy (2011–2015) confirmed progress and emerging challenges due to the changing context of food safety; Reaffirming that health and food safety are intrinsically related and that food safety is an essential component of sustainable development; Emphasizing linkages between food safety, nutrition and noncommunicable diseases; .../ WPR/RC68.R6 page 2 Stressing that food safety presents complex challenges that involve multiple sectors and stakeholders, and that food safety incidents and emergencies can have serious health and economic consequences domestically and internationally; Noting that countries in the Western Pacific Region have food safety systems at different stages of development; Recognizing that food safety risks cannot be eliminated, only reduced, and that managing food safety risks requires a new approach; Having reviewed the draft Regional Framework for Action on Food Safety in the Western Pacific, 1. ENDORSES the Regional Framework for Action on Food Safety in the Western Pacific; 2. URGES Member States: (1) to develop national action plans and implement priority actions in line with the Regional Framework for Action on Food Safety in the Western Pacific; (2) to ensure adequate technical and financial resources for the implementation of national action plans and priority actions; (3) to engage in regional cooperation to monitor progress and share experiences and best practices for continuous improvement of food safety systems; .../ WPR/RC68.R6 page 3 3. REQUESTS the Regional Director: (1) to provide technical support for Member States to implement the Regional Framework for Action on Food Safety in the Western Pacific; (2) to facilitate regional food safety cooperation and promote learning and best practices for continuous improvement; (3) to report progress periodically on the implementation of the Regional Framework for Action. Sixth meeting, 12 October 2017