Codex Alimentarius and International Trade: Promoting Sustainable Agrifood Systems

The international trade landscape, particularly in the agrifood sector, is experiencing a significant shift. This change is driven by several pressing global challenges, including climate change, health crises, and geopolitical instability (Roberts, 2023). The shared vision that trade is a driver of peace and food prosperity is being re-examined in light of these disruptions; trade is being utilized as an instrument to generate political instability instead of a means to peace. This chapter addresses the nexus of international trade, sustainable food systems, and climate adaptation, underscoring the necessity for a holistic transformation of agrifood systems to mitigate environmental impacts and enhance global food safety and security. The Codex Alimentarius, a pivotal entity in establishing global food standards, is positioned to assume a central role in this transformation, aligning its strategic objectives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). There is a shared and collective necessity to integrate sustainability and adaptation measures into global food trade systems to address current and future challenges.