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The Executive Director of the International Olive Council (IOC), Abdellatif Ghedira, travelled to Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, on 26 October 2023, where he was received by the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Najib Mikati, and the Minister of Agriculture, Abbas Al-Haj Hassan.
After outlining the IOC’s mission as the world’s only intergovernmental organisation bringing together those involved in the production and consumption of olive oil and table olives, as well as its unique position as a forum for discussion of issues affecting the sector, he spoke to his audience about what the Organisation brings to its member countries in terms of technology transfer, training, improving the quality of olive products, exchanges of information and know-how.
He encouraged the Lebanese authorities, one of the oldest members of the IOC since the country of the cedar tree joined the International Agreement in 1973, just 50 years ago, to strengthen their presence within the Organisation and to take advantage of what it can bring to the country’s olive sector, which is so important to its economy.
He took advantage of his visit to invite the Minister of Agriculture to attend the next session of the Council of Members, the plenary session of which will be held in Madrid on 23 November, and the celebration of World Olive Day on the same day, two events which will be attended by other Ministers of Agriculture from IOC member countries, as well as numerous members of the diplomatic corps alongside the heads of delegations.
