PUI PT UNNES Consistently Participates Globally at CCSCH 8 India: Championing Indonesian Cinnamon and Vanilla Standards
GUWAHATI, INDIA-JAYA NEWS.COM – Semarang State University (UNNES) once again demonstrated its international presence through active participation in the 8th Session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH), held from October 13–17, 2025, in Guwahati, Assam, India. This involvement is part of a national strategy to strengthen Indonesia’s position as a key player in the global spice trade.
In this forum, Indonesia emerged as a more strategic entity by being appointed as Co-Chair for the development of cinnamon commodity standards, while also actively participating in the Electronic Working Group (EWG) for vanilla. This step is considered crucial for championing national interests, particularly for Indonesian spice farmers and businesses.
Indonesian Delegation: Cross-Sector Collaboration
Led by Miranti Reine Devilana of Bappenas as Head of the Delegation, the Indonesian team comprised representatives from various agencies representing the country’s technocratic and diplomatic strengths.
Participating in the delegation were:
Dr. Eka Yuli Astuti – Head of the PUI-PT Post-Harvest Coffee and Spices (Co Spice) from the Faculty of Languages and Arts (FBS) UNNES
Rasyid Mahmuddin and Darmia Dimu – Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Tri Suroso – Indonesian Embassy in New Delhi
Sigit Ismaryanto – Indonesian Spices Council
Jon Hendri – BRIN
This 8th CCSCH session is a continuation of the Codex Alimentarius Commission’s global efforts to develop international standards for spices and culinary herbs, to ensure food safety, consumer protection, and smooth global trade. Miranti emphasized, “Post-harvest standardization of spices is key to ensuring that Indonesian products are not only accepted but also recognized in the global market. This forum provides an important space for us to champion the quality and identity of Indonesian spices.”
The return of Dr. Eka Yuli Astuti from UNNES to the CCSCH demonstrates the consistent and active role of universities in scientific diplomacy. Having participated in the 7th CCSCH, Dr. Eka’s continued participation demonstrates how academia can become a strategic partner for the government in the international arena.
As an academic and spice researcher, Dr. Eka highlighted the importance of a research-based approach in developing quality standards, particularly in post-harvest practices.
“International standards must reflect local realities. With scientific data and a field-based approach, we can fight to ensure that global standards remain relevant and fair for Indonesian farmers,” she said.
The Fight for Cinnamon and Vanilla
Indonesia is known as one of the world’s leading producers of cinnamon and vanilla. However, these two commodities still face significant challenges, such as strict export standards, contamination issues, and a lack of domestic added value.
By serving as Co-Chair for cinnamon and actively participating in the EWG vanilla initiative, Indonesia is strategically positioned to:
Ensure Codex standards do not disadvantage local businesses and farmers
Increase the competitiveness of spice products in the global market
Promote sustainability and added value in the supply chain
Dr. Eka emphasized, “This technical diplomacy is a concrete step to advance our economic and social interests. Cinnamon and vanilla are not just trade commodities, but cultural and economic heritage that we must protect.”
In line with the SDGs
Indonesia’s involvement in CCSCH 8 is also closely linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This participation supports several key targets, such as:
SDG 2 – Zero Hunger: Improving global food quality and security
SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth: Encouraging high-value exports from the agricultural sector
SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Supporting post-harvest technological innovation and local industrialization
SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production: Sustainable management of spice resources
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthening international and multi-sectoral cooperation.
As a conservation-minded university with an international reputation, UNNES, through the PUI-PT Pascapanen Kopi dan Rempah (Coffee and Spice Post-Harvest Research Center), has long focused on research and development in the spice sector, particularly post-harvest and product quality. Involvement in the Codex forum is a concrete manifestation of UNNES’s contribution to knowledge-based diplomacy, namely diplomacy based on knowledge and scientific research.
This step demonstrates that universities are not only places for learning and research, but also crucial actors in shaping a fairer, more sustainable, and knowledge-based future for global trade.***
Nur Fateah
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