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The International Olive Council (IOC) took part in the inauguration of the 17th Advanced Specialisation Course in Olive Growing organised by the Andalusian Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research and Training (IFAPA) in Córdoba on Monday 14 September 2026.
IOC Deputy Executive Director for Operational Affairs Abderraouf Laajimi participated in the opening ceremony and delivered the inaugural lecture, entitled “Olive Growing in the World”, in which he presented an overview of the international olive sector and addressed some of the main trends and challenges shaping its future.
In his presentation, Laajimi highlighted the increasingly global nature of the sector, including the emergence of new markets and changing consumption patterns. A clear example of this expansion is the recent incorporation of new members to the IOC family, namely Pakistan and Iraq, as well as South Africa and Brazil’s formal requests to adhere to the International Agreement. He also underlined the importance of quality and sustainability as key factors for the sector’s future development, as well as the need to continue investing in knowledge, technical expertise and capacity building.
“The olive sector is evolving rapidly, reaching new markets and responding to new consumer expectations. In this context, quality, sustainability and, above all, investment in knowledge and capacity building will be essential to ensure its continued development,” Laajimi said. “Initiatives such as this course play an important role in preparing professionals to respond to the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.”
The inauguration also brought together the President of IFAPA, Marta Bosquet; the Director of the Higher Technical School of Agricultural and Forestry Engineering (ETSIAM) of the University of Córdoba, María del Carmen del Campillo; and the Director of the Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (IAS-CSIC) in Córdoba, Leire Molinero.
The IOC’s participation also provided an opportunity to highlight the growing cooperation between the Council and IFAPA. At its 123rd session in Lisbon on 30 June 2026, the IOC Council of Members approved the future signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions. The agreement will provide a broader framework for cooperation in areas of common interest, including plant genetic resources, scientific and technical collaboration, capacity building and the dissemination and exchange of knowledge.
IFAPA is already an important partner of the IOC in the field of olive genetic resources. Its Alameda del Obispo centre in Córdoba hosts one of the international collections of the World Olive Germplasm Bank of Córdoba, recognised by the IOC and forming part of the IOC Network of Olive Germplasm Banks.
The future agreement will further strengthen these ties, combining the IOC’s international reach with IFAPA’s expertise in research, innovation, training and knowledge transfer, and opening new opportunities for cooperation in support of the international olive sector.
