Sixtieth session of the Specialized Section on Standardization of Dry and Dried Produce (GE.2) and Exhibition on UNECE Nuts and Dried Fruit Standards in International Trade

Delegates attending meetings at the Palais des Nations should complete the registration form (English and French), and send it to the secretariat by e-mail (alissa.mayor@unece.org) or by fax (+41 22 917 0629).

Prior to the meeting, delegates are requested to present themselves, with a valid identification card/passport, at the UNOG Security and Safety Section, located at the Pregny entrance to obtain a security badge to enter the Palais (in case of a problem, please call 022 917 12 65). Documents for the meeting and information for Geneva visitors are also available on the website.

Documents not yet available in all three official languages are posted on this website as advance copies. As such they are unofficial and for information purposes only.

Discover the World of Nuts and Dried Fruit Exhibition
UNECE Nuts and Dried Fruit Standards in International Trade

This year, at UNECE we’re holding our first exhibition on UNECE standards for the international trade of nuts and dried fruits.

Nuts and Dried Fruit

Nuts and dried fruit have become an important part of our diet, whether in yoghurt, cereals, and snacks, or sprinkled over a salad. Today, a multitude of nutrition research focuses on their potential preventive effect on cardiovascular diseases, weight control and chronic diseases. And people are increasingly recognizing them as an essential ingredient of a healthy diet.

Every year an array of new products that include nuts and dried fruit emerge internationally Nuts with their high-protein and high-energy values have also become a valuable weapon in the fight against hunger. “Plumpy'nut”, peanut-based paste is one of the principal nutritional emergency meals distributed by humanitarian organization including UNICEF and the World Food Programme to severely malnourished populations in the drought- and hunger-stricken parts of the world.

According to recent statistics from the INC (Global Statistical Review 2007-2012, January 2013), over the past seven years, the world value for tree nuts increased by 88% and by 40% for dried fruit. In 2011, total world consumption of tree nuts exceeded 3 million metric tons.

UNECE and Nuts and Dried Fruit

As a result of the increased international trade in nuts and dried fruit, more and more countries want to work together with us to draw up standards for trading in these products. Before nuts and dried fruit arrive in international trade and, eventually, on supermarket shelves or in the food supply, they undergo screening, sizing and testing to ensure compliance with quality and food safety regulations. UNECE’s standards play a major part in this quality control.

UNECE Exhibition “Nuts and Dried Fruit Standards in International Trade”

The exhibition will reach out to the general public, to experts, producers, traders and exporters. It will showcase the work done by our group of experts and explain the value of this work for international trade.

Visitors to the exhibition will have a unique possibility to taste the products and learn about the latest research on nutrition and the health benefits of nuts and dried fruit. Our experts will explain and show you what happens behind the scenes between harvest and the supermarket shelves. They will present new products based on nuts and dried fruit, along with literature on their uses, including cooking recipes and fitness instructions.

Contact: Liliana.annovazzi-jakab@unece.org

Snack and learn at 14:15
Salle VIII, Palais des Nations Geneva

Tuesday, 18 June 2013           From trees to your table (Behind the scenes – production, science and processing)
 
Wednesday, 19 June 2013       Go nuts for health (Nuts, nutrition and health)

Thursday, 20 June 2013          Tasty trends (New nuts and dried fruit products)