Global leadership: Morocco takes over the presidency of the IOC and adopts the Cordoba Strategic Declaration

DISCOVER MOROCCO

The Kingdom of Morocco was elected, this Thursday in Cordoba, to the presidency of the International Olive Council (IOC) for the year 2026, during the work of the 122nd session of this institution, This election embodies the central role of the Moroccan olive sector, one of the eleven founding countries of the Council, and which plays a historic and constant role alongside the Member States, which represent 94% of world olive production

The International Olive Council, founded in 1959 in Madrid under the auspices of the United Nations, is the only intergovernmental organization dedicated to olive oil and table olives The 122nd session of the Council was marked by the adoption of the « Declaration of Córdoba », which establishes a common vision for the sustainable development of the olive sector on a global scale

This declaration, approved by the Ministries of Agriculture and international partner organizations, reflects a collective commitment to strengthen, modernize and consolidate the resilience of this sector. Through this text, the signatory countries affirm the strategic importance of the olive tree, ancestral tree and universal symbol of peace, wisdom and civilization

They also underline its crucial role for food security, human health, the preservation of biodiversity, the fight against desertification and the mitigation of the effects of climate change, During its 122nd session, the International Olive Council highlighted its strategic role in supporting the sector, promoting its sustainability and ensuring the quality of its products

Members discussed several priority initiatives, including the development of a tool to assess the carbon footprint of olive groves, strengthening the Council’s presence in Brazil, updating the statistical dashboard and improving quality standards and methods analysis.