The Codex Trust Fund was launched on 14 February 2003 by Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, Director-General of WHO, and Dr Jacques Diouf, Director-General of FAO, at a ceremony organized during the 25th (extraordinary) session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The Fund is seeking US$40 million over a 12-year period to help developing countries and countries in transition to increase their participation in the vital work of the Commission.

Fund operations are guided by an FAO/WHO Consultative Group consisting of senior FAO and WHO staff. Daily management of the Project and associated funding is implemented by WHO following normal WHO procedures, through its Department of Food Safety and Zoonoses and in close coordination with FAO, particularly regarding applicant review and identification and capacity building activities. All activities are performed in a fully transparent manner, and close communication is maintained with all interested parties.

WHO is responsible for the management and administration of the funding through its Voluntary Fund for Health Promotion. The FAO/WHO Trust Fund for Participation in Codex has its own separate financial records and reporting. All contributions and expenditure are recorded separately, with individual donor acknowledgement, and reported on in the Financial Report and audited financial statements of WHO. The Trust Fund is subject to both internal and external audit procedures in accordance with WHO Financial Regulations and Rules.

See for more information the Codex Trust Fund website