With over 26 years of experience in the agricultural sector, Rommel Betancourt currently serves as the General Coordinator for Food Safety at Ecuador's Phyto and Zoosanitary Regulation and Control Agency. In this role, he helps ensure that plant and animal products adhere to rigorous food safety standards. Rommel also oversees the national control system on organic production, good agricultural practices certification, and the surveillance and control of primary food. Beyond his national responsibilities, he chairs the Codex Alimentarius FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean, with 33 member countries, and the Inter-American Commission on Organic Agriculture, with 19 member countries. Rommel holds a Master of Science in Animal Husbandry from the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland, and a Specialist title from the International Trade Negotiations from the Catholic University in Quito, Ecuador.
With over 26 years of experience in the agricultural sector, Rommel Betancourt currently serves as the General Coordinator for Food Safety at Ecuador's Phyto and Zoosanitary Regulation and Control Agency. In this role, he helps ensure that plant and animal products adhere to rigorous food safety standards. Rommel also oversees the national control system on organic production, good agricultural practices certification, and the surveillance and control of primary food. Beyond his national responsibilities, he chairs the Codex Alimentarius FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean, with 33 member countries, and the Inter-American Commission on Organic Agriculture, with 19 member countries. Rommel holds a Master of Science in Animal Husbandry from the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland, and a Specialist title from the International Trade Negotiations from the Catholic University in Quito, Ecuador.
Nuraini Binti Ghaifullah is a senior food safety expert with over 20 years of experience in food safety management systems, regulatory compliance, and auditing. She currently serves as a Food Technologist and Principal Assistant Director at the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH), where she leads the Food Product Section under the Pre-Market Approval Branch, overseeing regulatory compliance and verification of national food safety standards. A specialist in HACCP and GMP frameworks, she has dedicated 19 years to food safety assurance and management schemes within the Ministry, including 15 years as a Lead Auditor, and is actively involved in auditing, verification, and competency assessment for food safety management systems. She has taken part as part of the Malaysian delegation in international technical forums such as the Codex Committee on Fats and Oils (CCFO), contributed to ASEAN regional guidelines on remote audit and inspection, and supported initiatives under the United Nations Food Systems Summit and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation on the harmonization and digitalization of Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures. She holds a Master’s degree in Food Safety and Quality Assurance and a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Technology from Universiti Putra Malaysia, and is a Certified Professional Trainer through Western Kentucky University.
Nuraini Binti Ghaifullah is a senior food safety expert with over 20 years of experience in food safety management systems, regulatory compliance, and auditing. She currently serves as a Food Technologist and Principal Assistant Director at the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH), where she leads the Food Product Section under the Pre-Market Approval Branch, overseeing regulatory compliance and verification of national food safety standards. A specialist in HACCP and GMP frameworks, she has dedicated 19 years to food safety assurance and management schemes within the Ministry, including 15 years as a Lead Auditor, and is actively involved in auditing, verification, and competency assessment for food safety management systems. She has taken part as part of the Malaysian delegation in international technical forums such as the Codex Committee on Fats and Oils (CCFO), contributed to ASEAN regional guidelines on remote audit and inspection, and supported initiatives under the United Nations Food Systems Summit and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation on the harmonization and digitalization of Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures. She holds a Master’s degree in Food Safety and Quality Assurance and a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Technology from Universiti Putra Malaysia, and is a Certified Professional Trainer through Western Kentucky University.
Nime Kapo is a veterinarian with over 20 years of experience in animal health. He has worked as a regional veterinarian and as Chief Veterinary Officer for the government of Papua New Guinea's (PNG) biosecurity service. Notably, he was PNG's first delegate to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and initiated the country's implementation of the WOAH Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Tool. Nime has also collaborated extensively with PNG's public health sector on International Health Regulation (IHR) issues such as zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance. Currently, he works as a freelance consultant, providing expertise in biosecurity, transboundary animal disease management, market access, One Health, and livestock development. Nime holds a Master's in Tropical Veterinary Science from James Cook University, Australia, and a Master's in Management from the University of Natural Resources and Environment in Papua New Guinea.
Nime Kapo is a veterinarian with over 20 years of experience in animal health. He has worked as a regional veterinarian and as Chief Veterinary Officer for the government of Papua New Guinea's (PNG) biosecurity service. Notably, he was PNG's first delegate to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and initiated the country's implementation of the WOAH Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Tool. Nime has also collaborated extensively with PNG's public health sector on International Health Regulation (IHR) issues such as zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance. Currently, he works as a freelance consultant, providing expertise in biosecurity, transboundary animal disease management, market access, One Health, and livestock development. Nime holds a Master's in Tropical Veterinary Science from James Cook University, Australia, and a Master's in Management from the University of Natural Resources and Environment in Papua New Guinea.
Dr Saliou Niassy is a plant health scientist and entomologist with extensive experience in agricultural research, pest management, and phytosanitary systems in Africa. He is the Coordinator of the Inter-African Phytosanitary Council (AU-IAPSC) at the African Union, where he leads efforts to strengthen plant health regulations, phytosanitary capacity, and safe trade across the continent. Dr Niassy’s work focuses on integrated pest and plant health management, sustainable agriculture, and biodiversity conservation. Before joining the African Union, he held leadership roles in research and technology transfer at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) and has contributed to over 200 scientific publications on topics including integrated pest management, climate change impacts on agriculture, and sustainable crop protection. His expertise bridges scientific research and policy implementation to enhance food security, reduce reliance on harmful pesticides, and promote eco-friendly agricultural practices across Africa.
Dr Saliou Niassy is a plant health scientist and entomologist with extensive experience in agricultural research, pest management, and phytosanitary systems in Africa. He is the Coordinator of the Inter-African Phytosanitary Council (AU-IAPSC) at the African Union, where he leads efforts to strengthen plant health regulations, phytosanitary capacity, and safe trade across the continent. Dr Niassy’s work focuses on integrated pest and plant health management, sustainable agriculture, and biodiversity conservation. Before joining the African Union, he held leadership roles in research and technology transfer at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) and has contributed to over 200 scientific publications on topics including integrated pest management, climate change impacts on agriculture, and sustainable crop protection. His expertise bridges scientific research and policy implementation to enhance food security, reduce reliance on harmful pesticides, and promote eco-friendly agricultural practices across Africa.
MaryLucy Oronje has over 15 years of experience in SPS measures in developing countries. She has extensive knowledge of phytosanitary issues, crop protection, integrated pest management, biological control, crop pollination and pollinator conservation. MaryLucy is a senior SPS Scientist at the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI), based at the Africa Office in Nairobi, Kenya. Her experience includes pest risk analysis, Inspections, surveillance, and other official controls. She is also a certified Global G.A.P Farm Assurer trained in Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles and the STDF P-IMA tool. In 2022, MaryLucy led the development of the Good Practice Guide for Avocado for Kenya and received the "Outstanding Women Award" conferred by the Avocado Society of Kenya. She holds a Ph.D. in Biology from Bielefeld University, Germany.
MaryLucy Oronje has over 15 years of experience in SPS measures in developing countries. She has extensive knowledge of phytosanitary issues, crop protection, integrated pest management, biological control, crop pollination and pollinator conservation. MaryLucy is a senior SPS Scientist at the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI), based at the Africa Office in Nairobi, Kenya. Her experience includes pest risk analysis, Inspections, surveillance, and other official controls. She is also a certified Global G.A.P Farm Assurer trained in Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles and the STDF P-IMA tool. In 2022, MaryLucy led the development of the Good Practice Guide for Avocado for Kenya and received the "Outstanding Women Award" conferred by the Avocado Society of Kenya. She holds a Ph.D. in Biology from Bielefeld University, Germany.
Clara Marcela Rodríguez Moreno, a Colombian national, currently serves as the Head of Animal Health and Veterinary Products at the General Secretariat of the Andean Community. In this role, she leads efforts to strengthen terrestrial and aquatic animal health, food safety, and veterinary product systems across Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Previously, Clara was an Antimicrobial Resistance Specialist for FAO’s ECTAD program in Colombia and served as Technical Director for the Porkcolombia Association of Pig Farmers. Her extensive experience includes collaborating with the Inter-Union Alliance to implement AMR prevention strategies across both public and private sectors of the Colombian agri-food chain. Furthermore, she served two consecutive terms as a Principal Magistrate on Colombia’s Veterinary Ethics Tribunal and represented the UK-based firm Eville & Jones, where she enhanced ante- and post-mortem inspection standards. She holds a degree in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (specializing in Animal Health) and a Master’s in Agricultural Sciences with an emphasis on Public Health and Population Medicine.
Clara Marcela Rodríguez Moreno, a Colombian national, currently serves as the Head of Animal Health and Veterinary Products at the General Secretariat of the Andean Community. In this role, she leads efforts to strengthen terrestrial and aquatic animal health, food safety, and veterinary product systems across Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Previously, Clara was an Antimicrobial Resistance Specialist for FAO’s ECTAD program in Colombia and served as Technical Director for the Porkcolombia Association of Pig Farmers. Her extensive experience includes collaborating with the Inter-Union Alliance to implement AMR prevention strategies across both public and private sectors of the Colombian agri-food chain. Furthermore, she served two consecutive terms as a Principal Magistrate on Colombia’s Veterinary Ethics Tribunal and represented the UK-based firm Eville & Jones, where she enhanced ante- and post-mortem inspection standards. She holds a degree in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (specializing in Animal Health) and a Master’s in Agricultural Sciences with an emphasis on Public Health and Population Medicine.