Codex in action: Ulaanbaatar workshop addresses risk communication

 Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia 

A risk communication workshop under the Republic of Korea-funded “One Health for Food Safety” (1H4FS) project was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia 4–6 July. The workshop brought together representatives from the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Mongolia, the United Republic of Tanzania and Viet Nam, to strengthen national capacities in risk analysis for food safety. A total of 40 participants from 15 different agencies took part in the event.

The workshop was officially opened by T. Jambaltseren, State Secretary of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry (MoFALI) of Mongolia, and Qingyun Diao, FAO Representative in Mongolia, who emphasized the importance of food safety in today’s globalized food systems and commended the collaborative nature of the 1H4FS project.

Launched in 2023, the 1H4FS project supports countries in addressing food safety challenges through the application of the Codex risk analysis framework, guided by the One Health approach. As global agricultural exports have quadrupled since 2000[1], food safety has become more crucial than ever. The increasing complexity of food systems—driven by issues such as emerging technologies, climate change, international trade, transport innovations, and shifting policy landscapes—requires robust, science-based tools to support informed decision-making.

The Codex risk analysis framework—comprising risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication—is internationally recognized as a foundation for evidence-based food safety policy and practice.

The Ulaanbaatar workshop addressed risk communication capacities. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises to design effective food safety messages tailored to specific audiences on previously identified national food safety risks, applying principles of strategic communication planning.

“Risk communication is a shared responsibility and requires teamwork. This workshop guided us through the full process—from identifying goals and objectives to defining target audiences, selecting tactics, crafting key messages, choosing communication tools, and setting up monitoring mechanisms,” said Salum Ally Manyatta, Assistant Director, One Health Coordination Section, the United Republic of Tanzania.

“I’m pleased to see how the application of Codex principles is helping countries address their food safety challenges,” said Myoengsin Choi, Global 1H4FS Project Coordinator at FAO. “The Codex risk analysis framework offers essential overarching guidance, but effective implementation requires tailored, hands-on support—precisely the kind this workshop aimed to provide.”

Following this workshop, the 1H4FS project will continue to support participating countries in applying the other aspects of the risk analysis framework. Upcoming activities will focus on strengthening national risk assessment capacities and developing risk management strategies adapted to each country’s context.

By equipping national authorities with practical tools and sharing ideas and mechanisms for cross-sectoral collaboration, the 1H4FS project is empowering countries build safer food systems to protect public health and expand trade opportunities.

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Risk ranking workshops take place across Asia and Africa under the One Health Food Safety project
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Codex Alimentarius Commission Procedural Manual, Section IV Risk Analysis

Photo © FAO/ Sukhbaatar