“This is a regional kava conference initiated by the Vanuatu government in its discussion to see how we can collectively address issues of the kava producing countries in the Pacific region,” he said.
“The assistant of the Pacific community and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat aided us in hosting the meeting through the virtual technology. We are very happy for the Vanuatu government through the Ministry of Trade, to collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs.”
All kava producing countries are attending this conference, with participants from Vanuatu, Tonga, Fiji, Solomon Islands, PNG and the Federated States of Micronesia, mostly places that produce and consume kava.
“We also have stakeholders from around the world and in the region, who are interested in the kava industry development,” the CEO said.
“These is the kava exporters, kava farmers, researchers and of course policy makers throughout the region and the world.”
“It has surpassed copra and other commodities,” Tumukon said.
“It holds significance in terms of traditional value and nowadays in terms of commercialization. And it is why we are initiating this conference in a timely manner to discuss in the regional level. We have been the leader as well in terms of policy and regulatory institution within the country, we were the first one to develop the kava act, and we were also the first to develop the kava export standard and the kava strategy which have been developed.
“What we had developed has come as a model for other Pacific islands in trading, in both the regional and international market.”
The whole regional kava standard through the Codex standard was created in 2004, initially by Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, with Vanuatu joining in later.
“We managed to push that through with Vanuatu leading the work from 2020 when it was adopted in Rome through the Codex Alimentarius structure of theFood and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization,” he added.
The 3-day conference will end today.
Source: Daily Post