International outreach to advance US interests in enhancing the participation of latin american and caribbean countries in codex

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary, awarded a $500,000 Cooperative Agreement to the Inter American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) under the U.S. Codex Office Support for International Activities program (CFDA 10.997) on September 30, 2025, with a completion date of September 30, 2027. The award funds international outreach activities designed to advance U.S. interests by enhancing the participation of Latin American and Caribbean countries in the Codex Alimentarius Commission's standard-setting and scientific advisory work.

Under this agreement, IICA will deliver capacity building and technical assistance services to strengthen engagement from Latin American and Caribbean nations in Codex activities. Expected outputs include direct support to Codex Contact Points and National Codex Committees, facilitation of participation by government and expert delegates in Codex committees and joint expert bodies, and regional outreach campaigns to increase involvement in international food safety standards harmonization. The two-year performance period aligns with the program's typical 12 to 18-month activity timelines and positions IICA to leverage its established regional expertise and network across the Americas to support U.S. policy objectives in food safety standards alignment and international agricultural trade.