صحافة بلادي صحيفة إلكترونية مغاربية متجددة على مدار الساعة تعنى بشؤون المغرب الجزائر ليبيا موريتانيا تونس
Lisbon-Morocco strengthened its position within the global olive sector after it chaired, in its capacity as the current President of the International Olive Council, the work of the 123rd session of the Organization’s Council of Members, held in the Portuguese city of Lisbon, with the participation of delegations of member states and a number of international observers, in light of the increasing challenges facing this sector at the global level.
The Kingdom was represented at this meeting by Tawfiq Al-Achabi, Director of Production Chains Development at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, who stressed that Morocco will continue, during its presidency of the Council, to support the efforts of member states and strengthen the organization’s role in achieving sustainable and balanced development of the olive production chain.
Al-Ashabi explained that the International Olive Council today faces increasing challenges related mainly to climate change, preserving natural resources, enhancing the sustainability of production systems, in addition to improving the quality and authenticity of olive products and expanding the consumption of olive oil and table olives globally.
He pointed out that these challenges require strengthening international cooperation, encouraging scientific research and innovation, developing standardization and quality control systems, as well as supporting the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the sector, and working to expand the membership of the International Olive Council.
The President of the Council welcomed Pakistan’s accession to the organization, considering this step an important addition that enhances the international character of the Council and contributes to expanding the horizons of cooperation among member states. He also praised the good organization of the Portuguese authorities for the current session and the efforts made by the Executive Secretariat of the Council under the leadership of its Executive Director, Jaime Lillo.
For his part, the Director-General of the Office of Planning, Policy and Public Administration of the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture and the Sea stressed that the International Olive Council plays a pivotal role in developing the sector globally, by supporting quality, innovation and sustainability, and updating international standards for olive oil and table olives, in a way that enhances trade exchanges and protects the consumer.
In turn, the Executive Director of the International Olive Council, Jaime Lillo, stressed that the sector faces great challenges due to climate change, geopolitical turmoil, and market fluctuations, stressing that confronting these challenges requires strengthening international cooperation, encouraging sustainable agricultural practices, and improving the management of water resources, in addition to supporting scientific research and preserving the genetic diversity of the olive tree.
Lillo pointed out that olive cultivation is no longer limited to the countries of the Mediterranean basin, but has become increasingly widespread on various continents, coinciding with the increasing interest of a number of countries in joining the International Olive Council.
The 123rd session of the Council coincided with the organization of the second edition of the World Olive Oil Conference, which Lisbon hosted on July 2 and 3, with the participation of experts, producers and international institutions, to discuss the future of the sector, ways to adapt to climate change, digitalization, artificial intelligence, and the quality of olive oil, in addition to the impact of geopolitical transformations on global markets.
The meetings also culminated in the selection of Morocco to host the 124th session of the Council of Members of the International Olive Council, scheduled to be held next November, in addition to the adoption of a set of strategic recommendations aimed at enhancing the sustainability of the global olive sector, increasing its competitiveness, and improving its ability to confront climate and economic challenges.
Source:“My press”
