CIHEAM participates in the 122nd Plenary Session of the International Olive Council in Cordoba
Cordoba, Spain – 19–20 November 2025
CIHEAM President Frida Krifca, Secretary General Teodoro Miano, and CIHEAM Zaragoza Director Raul Compès took part this week as observers in the 122nd plenary session of the International Olive Council (IOC), held in Cordoba. The event, which coincided with World Olive Day, brought together forty-five member countries and several international observer organisations, at a time when the olive sector is experiencing a strong global recovery after two difficult years. Delegations reviewed progress on major workstreams, including the development of an international carbon-balance tool for olive groves, the refinement of the interactive statistical dashboard, and the strengthening of analytical methods designed to guarantee product authenticity in an increasingly competitive global market.
During the official ceremony marking World Olive Day, celebrated the following day, the President of CIHEAM recalled the profound cultural and symbolic dimension of the olive tree across the Mediterranean basin. “The olive tree is far more than a tree: it is a marker of identity, a living heritage, a shared language that has connected our societies for millennia,” she stated, emphasising that this culture “shapes our landscapes, sustains rural economies, and embodies an idea of peace and continuity that we need now more than ever.”
She also stressed the central place of olive oil in the Mediterranean Diet, inscribed by UNESCO on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Citing its widely documented benefits for public health—ranging from the prevention of chronic diseases to nutritional balance and healthier lifestyles—she called for this dietary model to be safeguarded as a common good, a vector of identity as much as of sustainability.
President Krifca then outlined the three pillars that frame CIHEAM’s commitment to the olive sector. Training remains the foundation of this engagement, notably through a specialised Master’s programme in olive cultivation, olive oil technology and quality assurance, long recognised as an international benchmark and jointly delivered by CIHEAM Zaragoza and the University of Cordoba. Research constitutes the second pillar, with CIHEAM Institutes working on issues such as water management, climate adaptation, varietal resilience and the conservation of genetic resources. Cooperation forms the third pillar: “Transforming science into action,” she said, is the ambition guiding CIHEAM’s work with governments, producers and international organisations, with the aim of fostering evidence-based governance, stronger value chains and greater convergence in quality practices.
Secretary General Teodoro Miano and Director Raul Compès reaffirmed their intention to strengthen synergies between CIHEAM initiatives and IOC programmes, particularly in areas where climatic and economic pressures are becoming decisive for the survival of olive-growing farms—among them water management, plantation sustainability, product valorisation and the protection of small producers’ incomes.
The Cordoba Declaration
The celebrations of World Olive Day provided the occasion for a collective reaffirmation of the Cordoba Declaration, a foundational text highlighting the importance of the olive sector for sustainable development, biodiversity, rural economies and the preservation of Mediterranean cultural heritage.
The Declaration explicitly recognises the role of olive groves as natural carbon sinks, noting that their more than 11 million hectares absorb up to 4.5 tonnes of CO₂ per hectare per year, thereby making a substantial contribution to global climate mitigation efforts. It also emphasises the robust scientific evidence ,more than 1,000 peer-reviewed studies, linking the regular consumption of extra virgin olive oil to a significant reduction in cardiovascular, metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. The document further calls for strengthened collaboration with chefs, culinary schools and the restaurant sector to promote olive oil culture, including varietal diversity, sensory profiles and nutritional benefits, with the aim of fostering a more informed and discerning consumer base.
IOC Executive Director Jaime Lillo welcomed the mobilisation of local and national authorities, recalling that Andalusia remains one of the historic heartlands of global olive cultivation and a living example of what can be achieved when tradition, innovation and political commitment come together.
CIHEAM’s participation in this plenary session reflects the deep alignment between the two organisations, united by a shared objective: to support a strategic sector for millions of rural families, promote sustainable agricultural models and reinforce a Mediterranean identity grounded in quality, technical excellence and cooperation.
