WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SPS/GEN/564 
8 June 2005 
 (05-2340) 
Committee on Sanitary a nd Phytosanitary Measures Original:   English/ 
 French/  Spanish 
 
  
FAO/WHO PROJECT AND TRUST FUND FOR ENHANCED PARTICIPATION IN CODEX 
 
Twenty-eighth Session, FAO Headquarters, Rome, Italy, 4 – 9 July 2005
 
 
Annual Report for 2004 
 
  The following communication, received on 1 June 2005, is being circulated at the request of 
the secretariat of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. 
  This document has been prepared for the Tw enty-eighth Session of the Codex Alimentarius 
Commission as ALINORM 05/28/9F   
_______________ 
 G/SPS/GEN/564 
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 JOINT FAO/WHO FOOD STANDARDS PROGRAMME 
 
CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION 
 
FAO/WHO PROJECT AND TRUST FUND FOR ENHANCED PARTICIPATION IN CODEX 
 
Twenty-eighth Session, FAO Headquarters, Rome, Italy, 4 – 9 July 2005
 
 
Annual Report for 2004 
  
A. I
NTRODUCTION  
1. This report covers the first calendar year of  implementation of the FAO/WHO Project and 
Fund for Enhanced Participation in Codex (hereafte r referred to as the "Codex Trust Fund").  The 
report is comprised of a technical section and a fi nancial section, and shoul d be read in conjunction 
with the third and fourth progress reports of th e FAO/WHO Consultative Group for the Project and 
Fund submitted to the Codex Executive Committe e and the Codex Alimentarius Commission.1  These 
reports provide additional information on the criteri a for eligibility of countries and the management 
of the Project and Fund in general. 
2. The Codex Trust Fund became operational in  March 2004, after the agreed minimum 
threshold amount of US$500,000 had been reached (F ebruary 2004).  During the March to December 
2004 period, a total of 83 participants from 75 countries attended 14 separate Codex meetings, 
utilizing US$561,297 of funding from the Codex Trust Fund.  As of 31 December 2004, nine national 
governments and the European Community had contributed a total of US$1,543,090.  Thus, the Codex Trust Fund is in a strong financial pos ition for implementation of activities in 2005. 
 
B. T
ECHNICAL SECTION  
3. The main objective of the Codex Trust Fund is to enhance participation of Codex Member 
States, especially least developed countries, in the work of Codex Alimentarius.  It has been 
recognized that active participation of Member St ates in Codex significantly enhances the countries’ 
ability to further develop their food safety systems, and thereby their capacity to protect the health of 
their citizens as it relates to food and to promot e food trade, nationally and internationally. 
4. The Codex Trust Fund is administered by th e World Health Organization (WHO), on behalf 
of WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organizati on of the United Nations (FAO).  A Consultative 
Group on the Trust Fund (CGTF) comprised of senior WHO and FAO staff was established in 2003, and is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the Codex Trust Fund. 
5. During the period March to December 2004, a total of 83 persons fr om 75 countries attended 
14 separate Codex meetings, including the Codex Al imentarius Commission meeting held in June-
July 2004.  All 83 participants were funded en tirely by the Codex Trust Fund and most were 
government officials from Least Developed Countries (LDCs).  The breakdown of participants was:  
                                                     
 
1 Third Progress Report,  CX/EXEC 04/53/3, 2003; 
   Fourth Progress Report, ALINORM 04/27/10F, 2004;    Both reports are also available on: http://w ww.who.int/foodsafety/codex/trustfund/en/    
  G/SPS/GEN/564 
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 60 per cent from LDCs and other lower income countries; 29 per cent from lower middle income 
countries; and 11 per cent from upper middle income countries. 
Application and Participation 
 
6. In response to the call for applications for 2004,  applications were received from 75 eligible 
countries.  In view of the level of funding that w as available in early 2004, the CGTF decided that all 
applicants meeting the criteria would obtain their first priority request.  Any remaining funds would 
allow for the granting of second priority requests only from Least Developed Countries. 
7. Table A of the Annex shows the countries which attended the respective meetings.  In Table 
B of the Annex, beneficiary countries are grouped according to the Codex regions. 
The role of Codex Contact Points 
 
8. The 2004 call for applications was circulated to countries through the Codex Secretariat and 
through the formal channels of FAO and WHO to Mi nistries of Agriculture and Ministries of Health.  
In addition, the regional and natio nal representatives of both parent organizations were informed.  
9. In several cases the use of different channels to inform eligible countries about the Codex 
Trust Fund has resulted in more than one app lication from a given country (usually representing 
different entities within the government).  This was an unsatisfactory outcome, also in the light of 
basic criteria applied to review applications, na mely that coordination between governmental entities 
should be demonstrated.  Too often, the informat ion provided by applicants on the coordinating 
mechanism in their country was eith er insufficient or unclear, which resulted in a delay of the review 
of the application or in non-acceptance of the appl ication.  Therefore, the 2005 call for applications 
(which was issued in mid-2004 with a 31 October 2004 deadline for submission of applications), was 
primarily circulated through the Codex Contact Points, reflecting suggestions from the Codex Executive Committee
2 and the Codex Alimentarius Commission.3 
10. The active involvement of regional and country representatives of FAO and WHO in the 
application and updating process has proven to be very  useful and their involvement should be further 
stimulated.  Unfortunately, full contact details ofte n are not available for Codex Contact Points, which 
is a significant impediment for smooth communication with beneficiary countries.  As efficient operating Codex Contact Points are in the mutual  interest of both the Codex Trust Fund and the 
Codex Secretariat, steps are being taken to actively share updated information in order to achieve this 
objective. 
Reports of Beneficiary Countries 
 
11. Beneficiary countries funded in 2004 had an obliga tion to report back to the Administrator of 
the Codex Trust Fund.  Such a report was also a prer equisite for these countries to be considered for 
further funding in 2005.  A format has been provided.  In order to meet the deadline for applications 
of 31 October 2004, countries were requested to s ubmit a report covering par ticipation at meetings 
funded by the Trust Fund up to and including the meeting of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in 
June/July 2004.  Reporting on sub sequent meetings (up to and in cluding the Codex Alimentarius 
Commission in mid-2005) will be expected to constitut e a prerequisite for considering applications for 
funding for 2006. 
                                                     
 
2 ALINORM 04/27/4, paras 94-103, Report of the Fifty-fourth Session of the Executive Committee of 
the Codex Alimentarius Commission 
3 ALINORM 04/27/41, paras 188-196, Report of the Twenty-seventh Session of the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission. G/SPS/GEN/564 
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 12. As of 31 December 2004, a total of 24 reports were submitted by beneficiary countries.  The 
quality of the reports was generally satisfactory.  Several countries provided detailed information on 
the structure and functioning of their national Codex infrastructure, such as a Codex Contact Point and a National Codex Committee or equi valent structure, and the way they used this infrastructure to 
prepare the application and the actual participation in Codex meetings. 
13. Several beneficiary country delegates stated that they participated for the first time in a Codex 
meeting and that their countries still had a long way to  go, not only due to a lack of experience in the 
work of Codex, but also because of the relative weakness of national food legislation and related 
institutions, constraints regarding available budgets and capacities, the lack of political awareness of 
the relevance of Codex standards in relation to international trade, and the limited capability to 
implement Codex standards. 
14. The reporting of several other countries clea rly indicated an already considerable 
understanding of and involvement in the work of Codex.  Support provided by the Trust Fund had 
resulted in broader participation of a government and an improved level of coordination of country 
positions. 
15. The support provided by regional and national re presentatives of FAO and WHO, particularly 
in preparing the applications, was generally seen as adequate.  Several countri es also reported active 
involvement of FAO and WHO in debriefing and follow-up work. 
16. Detailed review of the reports submitted will gu ide the CGTF in further assisting beneficiary 
countries in their Codex endeavours through activities eligible under the Trust Fund.  It also will 
provide useful information for FAO and WHO re garding their Technical Cooperation Programmes 
and regular capacity building work in the area of food safety and quality.  
C. F
INANCIAL SECTION  
Summary 
 
17. During the period from January 2003 through December 2004, a total of US$1,543,090 was 
received in contributions from nine Member States and the European Community. 
18. As stated above, a total of 83 persons from 75 countries were financed by the Codex Trust 
Fund during 2004.  The total expenses incurred in 2004 were US$561,297.  This amount was 
allocated to: 
(a) Support to beneficiary countries -- covering 10 0 percent of all participants’ travel and 
per diem costs associated with their a ttendance at Codex m eetings (US$461,297); 
(b) Project Management and Administration (US$100,000). 
The total available balance on 1 January 2005 was US$981,793. 
 
Contributions to the Codex Trust Fund (2003-2004) 
 19. The first contribution to the Codex Trus t Fund was provided in January 2003 (by the 
Government of Switzerland).  Contributions and pledges are continuing on an ongoing basis, and the 
objective is to ensure adequate financial resources for the entire duration of this project (12 years) by 
mobilizing financial resources throughout the 12-year period.  G/SPS/GEN/564 
 Page 5 
 
 
 20. The funds utilized for the activities undertak en during the period March - December 2004 
(totalling US$561,297) were allocated from the US  $ 797,379 in contributions received from January 
2003 through January 2004.  (See the grey shaded area of Table 1).  Funds remaining from those 
contributions (US$236,082), combined with the US$745,711 in additional funding received during 
the period February 2004 to December 2004 (see th e white section of Table 1) will be utilized to 
finance 2005 activities. 
21. For activities in future years (2006 and beyond), it is anticipated that funds received or 
pledged up to the month of October in a give n year will finance activities undertaken in the 
subsequent year.  For example, contributions r eceived on or before 31 Oct ober 2005 will be allocated 
to the budget for 2006 activities.  This timeline is n ecessary in order to be able to determine the 
budget available prior to allocating resources to recipi ent countries.  Allocations will be finalized in 
November of each year, which will allow for travel arrangements to be made on a timely basis for the 
first Codex meetings held in the fo llowing year (usually in February). 
22. Table 1 below provides a breakdown of the US$1,543,090 in contribut ions received during 
the period January 2003 to December 2004. 
Table 1.  Codex Trust Fund -- Contributions Received (2003-2004) 
 
Donor Amount Received 
(in contribution 
currency) Amount Received 
(in US$) Date Received 
Switzerland CHF 50,000 US$ 35,971 January 2003 
Canada Cdn $ 50,000 US$ 34,014 April 2003 
United States US$ 168,000 US$ 168,000 November 2003 
Norway US$ 100,000 US$ 100,000 December 2003 
Ireland EUR 50,000 US$ 60,824 December 2003 
Netherlands US$ 50,000 US$ 50,000 December 2003 
European Community EUR 280,250 US$ 348,570 January 2004 
Canada Cdn $ 166,666 US$ 125,287 February 2004 
Australia AUD 40,000 US $ 27,906 August 2004 
Sweden SEK 2,000,000 US$ 281,960 November 2004 
Netherlands US$ 50,000 US$ 50,000 November 2004 
Ireland EUR 30,000 US$ 39,788 December 2004 
New Zealand US$ 35,770 US$ 35,770 December 2004 
Norway US$ 100,000 US$ 100,000 December 2004 
United States US$   85,000 US$ 85,000 December 2004 
  TOTAL AMOUNT 
RECEIVED US$ 1,543,090  
 
Note:  The seven (7) contributions (in grey shad e) represent contributions used to finance 2004 
activities.  The others represent contributions  to be utilized to finance 2005 activities. 
 
Pledges received in 2003-2004 covering Future Activities 
 
23. The following pledges have been received from donors: 
1. Canada - According to Canada’s 3-year pl edge for the 2004-2006 period (signed in 
January 2004), Canada will contribute an additional Cdn$ 166,666 per year in 2005 and 
2006. 
 G/SPS/GEN/564 
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 2. Netherlands - The 4-year Agreement (2003- 2006) signed in November 2003 stipulates 
that the Netherlands will contribute an a dditional US$50,000 annually  in 2005 and 2006. 
3. European Community - A second Agreement was signed in November 2004, and the 
European Community will provide an add itional EUR 295,000 in 2005.  (Note:  EUR 
280,250 of this amount was r eceived in February 2005.) 
 
4. Germany - In December 2004, an Agreement was signed with the Government of the 
Republic of Germany, which provided for a contribution of US$50,000.  (Note:  The 
US$50,000 contribution was received in January 2005.) 
 
5. Sweden - Further to its 2004 contribution, in December 2004 the Government of Sweden 
indicated its intention to provide an additional contribution of SEK 3,000,000 
(approximately US$425,000) per year for the three-year period 2005-2007. 
 
The Situation for 2005 
 
24. Table 2 provides an overview of key aspects of the Codex Trust Fund for 2004, as well as a 
summary of the situation for 2005.  The table shows that the total amount expected to be spent during 
2004 and 2005 is US$2,529,079 (i ncurred expenses 2004 plus budge ted expenses 2005).  The total 
amount received in 2003 and 2004, plus the amount  already pledged for 2005, is US$2,591,450.  
Therefore, the Codex Trust Fund will have sufficien t funding for all activities undertaken in 2005, as 
well as a "contingency" amounting to at least US$6 2,371.  This contingency amount, combined with 
any additional funds received dur ing 2005, will constitute the Codex Trust Fund’s total available 
balance on 1 January 2006. 
Table 2.  Financial Overview 2004/2005 
 
Incurred 
expenses 2004 Number of 
participants funded by the Trust Fund during 2004  Budgeted 
expenses 2005  Number of 
participants to be funded by the Trust Fund during 2005 Total amount 
received in 2003-2004, plus amount pledged for 2005 contributions 
561,297 83 persons from  
75 countries US$ 1,967,782 307 persons from  
102 countries US$ 2,591,450 
 
Additional Information 
 25. Further information can be found on the website of the Codex Trust Fund: 
http://www.who.int/foodsafety/codex/trustfund/en/
 
 26. The Administrator of the Codex Trust Fund can be contacted through the following e-mail address: codextrustfund@who.int
 
 
  G/SPS/GEN/564 
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 ANNEX 
 
Table A: Countries funded by the Codex Trust Fund in 2004: distribution of participants according to meetings of the Codex Alimen tarius Commission and Codex Subsidiary Bodies 
 
Committees/Commissions Countries Remarks 
Codex Committee on Food Hygiene 
29 March-3 April 2004 (Washington, 
USA) 1. Indonesia 
2. Papua New Guinea  
Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues 
19-24 April 2004 (New Delhi, India) 1. Ghana  
Codex Committee on General Principles 
3-7 May 2004 (Paris, France) 1. Burundi*  
2. Congo DR*  
3. Tonga 
4. Uganda*   
Codex Committee on Food Labelling 
10-14 May 2004 (Montréal, Canada) 1. Burundi*  
2. Cameroon  
Codex Alimentarius Commission 
28 June-2 July 2004 (Geneva, Switzerland) 1. Bhutan*  
2. Botswana 
3. Chile 4. China 
5. Congo, Republic of 
6. Costa Rica 7. Côte d’Ivoire 
8. Cuba 
9. India 10.Jamaica 
11.Lesotho*  
12.Mali*  13.Mauritania*  
14.Morocco 
15.Niger*  16.Paraguay 
17.Samoa*  
18.Solomon Islands*   19.Sudan*  
20.Syria 
21.Tanzania*  22.Tunisia 23.Uganda* 
24.Uruguay 
25.Vanuatu*  26.Viet Nam 27.Zimbabwe  G/SPS/GEN/564 
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 Committees/Commissions Countries Remarks 
FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for 
Asia , 7-10 September 2004 
(Jeju City, Republic of Korea) 1. Sri Lanka  Participation of LDCs and 
Mongolia funded by Korea 
Codex Committee on Processed Fruit and Vegetables 
27 Sept.-1 Oct.2004 (Washington, USA) 1. Rwanda*  
  
Ad Hoc Intergovernmental. Task Force on 
Fruit and Vegetable Juices 
11-15 October 2004 (Fortaleza, Brazil) 1. Guatemala 
  
FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for 
North America and  South West Pacific 
19-22 October 2004 (Apia, Samoa) 1. Cook Islands 
2. Micronesia 
3. Solomon Islands*    
 Codex Committee on Residues of 
Veterinary Drugs in Foods 
26-29 October 2004 (Washington, USA)  
Ad Hoc Working Group on Methods of 
Analysis and Sampling, 25 October 2004 1. Burkina Faso* 
2. Dominican Republic 
3. Mongolia 4. Peru 
5. Poland  
Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods 
for Special Dietary Uses 
1-5 November 2004 (Bonn, Germany) 1. Bolivia  
2. Cambodia*  
3. Niger   
Codex Committee on General Principles 
8-12 November 2004  (Paris, France) 
 
 
Working Group on Proposed Draft 
Working Principles for Risk Analysis, 
Saturday, 6 November 2004 1. Cambodia*  
2. Kazakhstan 3. Kyrgyzstan 
4. Laos*  
5. Macedonia 6. Nepal*  7. Rwanda* 
8. Samoa*  
9. Togo 10.Zambia*   
  
 
 
FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for 
Latin America and the Caribbean 
29 November- 3 December 2004 
(Buenos Aires, Argentina) 
 
Regional Workshop on Food Control 
Systems, Martinez, Buenos Aires, 28 November 2004 1. Belice 
2. Colombia 
3. Ecuador 
4. El Salvador 5. Haiti*  
6. Nicaragua 
7. Panama  
  G/SPS/GEN/564 
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 Committees/Commissions Countries Remarks 
Codex Committee on Food Import and 
Export Inspection and  Certification Systems  
6-10 December 2004 (Melbourne, 
Australia) 1. Bhutan*  
2. Burkina Faso* 
3. Gabon 4. Haiti* 
5. Honduras 
6. Iran  7. Jordan 8. Liberia*  
9. Lithuania 
10.Nepal *  11. Sudan *  
 
  
 
   
 
* Least Developed Countries (LDCs) 
 G/SPS/GEN/564 
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 Table B:  Countries funded by the Codex Tr ust Fund in 2004: distribution of beneficiary 
countries according to Codex regions 
 
Codex Region Country Codex Region Country 
Benin* Kazakhstan 
Botswana Lithuania 
Burkina Faso* Moldova 
Burundi* Poland 
Cameroon Serbia and Montenegro 
Congo, Republic of Europe 
Macedonia 
Cote d`Ivoire Belize 
Congo DR* Bolivia 
Ethiopia* Chile  
Gabon Colombia 
Ghana Costa Rica 
Guinea* Cuba 
Guinea-Bissau* Dominican Republic 
Lesotho* Ecuador 
Liberia* El Salvador 
Mali* Guatemala 
Mauritania* Haiti* 
Morocco Honduras 
Mozambique* Jamaica 
Niger* Nicaragua 
Nigeria Panama 
Rwanda* Paraguay 
Swaziland Peru 
Togo* Latin America and 
the Caribbean 
Uruguay 
Uganda* Iran 
Tanzania* Jordan 
Zambia* Kyrgyzstan Africa 
Zimbabwe Sudan* 
Bhutan* Syria 
Cambodia* Near East 
Tunisia 
China Cook Islands 
India Micronesia 
Indonesia Papua New Guinea 
Laos* Samoa* 
Mongolia Solomon Islands* 
Nepal* Tonga 
Sri Lanka South-West Pacific 
Vanuatu* Asia 
Viet Nam   
* LDCs (Least Developed Countries) 
  
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