Ugandan woman lands top UN job
Sep 04, 2011
A Ugandan woman living in Switzerland has been elected the vice-chairperson of Codex Alimentarius Commission, a United Nations body.
By CHRIS OCOWUN
A Ugandan woman living in Switzerland has been elected the vice-chairperson of Codex Alimentarius Commission, a United Nations body.
The commission develops international food standards to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade.
Pernet Awilo Ocheng, 46, was voted by 114 delegates from 114 member states out of the 136 who took part in the election.
The voting took place from July 4 to 9 at the UN complex in Geneva, Switzerland.
Awilo has lived in Switzerland for 25 years since 1985 when she went for studies. She hails from Aworanga village in Koch-Ongako sub-county, Gulu district. She is married to a Swiss national and they have three children.
Awilo told journalists that after her three-year term of office, she could be re-elected to chair the commission.
She explained that she would not only serve the interests of one country, but the entire UN community.
Awilo promised to work hard to enhance the capacity of developing countries in setting food safety standards and ensuring that consumers’ health was protected.
Uganda, according to Awilo, is one of the 185 member states of Codex Alimentarius Commission that was established by the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Health Organisation in 1963.
“My mission as vice-chairperson of the commission is to help consolidate its position as the recognised global forum for the development of international food safety standards based on scientific principles,†she stated.
Awilo added that the commission ensures that any country that wishes to export its food products meets the standards by exporting foods which do not have chemical residues.
She held thanksgiving prayers and celebrations at St. Phillip’s Cathedral in Gulu on Saturday.
A Ugandan woman living in Switzerland has been elected the vice-chairperson of Codex Alimentarius Commission, a United Nations body.
The commission develops international food standards to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade.
Pernet Awilo Ocheng, 46, was voted by 114 delegates from 114 member states out of the 136 who took part in the election.
The voting took place from July 4 to 9 at the UN complex in Geneva, Switzerland.
Awilo has lived in Switzerland for 25 years since 1985 when she went for studies. She hails from Aworanga village in Koch-Ongako sub-county, Gulu district. She is married to a Swiss national and they have three children.
Awilo told journalists that after her three-year term of office, she could be re-elected to chair the commission.
She explained that she would not only serve the interests of one country, but the entire UN community.
Awilo promised to work hard to enhance the capacity of developing countries in setting food safety standards and ensuring that consumers’ health was protected.
Uganda, according to Awilo, is one of the 185 member states of Codex Alimentarius Commission that was established by the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Health Organisation in 1963.
“My mission as vice-chairperson of the commission is to help consolidate its position as the recognised global forum for the development of international food safety standards based on scientific principles,†she stated.
Awilo added that the commission ensures that any country that wishes to export its food products meets the standards by exporting foods which do not have chemical residues.
She held thanksgiving prayers and celebrations at St. Phillip’s Cathedral in Gulu on Saturday.