The IOC welcomes its new Deputy Executive Directors

The IOC has recently welcomed its new Deputy Executive Directors (DED), who, as of Monday, July 1, have taken up their respective positions within the Organization. Abderraouf Laajimi and Imdat Pekdemir were elected by the IOC’s Council of Members at the 118th plenary session in November 2023.

Mr. Laajimi (Tunisia) will be responsible for the IOC’s operational departments, including Research and Standardization, Economics and Promotion, and the Olive Growing, Olive Oil Technology and Environment Units. An agricultural engineer and expert in agri-food marketing, Mr. Laajimi holds a PhD in Applied Economics and an MSc in Agricultural and Food Marketing. Also a professor of agricultural economics, he served as Head of Cabinet and as Director General and Advisor to Tunisia’s Minister of Agriculture, among other notable professional roles before joining the IOC.

Mr. Pekdemir (Türkiye) will oversee the Executive Secretariat’s administrative and financial affairs, as well as the IT Systems and Observatory Department. With a degree in Political Science and Public Administration and an MA in European Studies, Mr. Pekdemir has held various positions within the Turkish public administration, such as rapporteur for the Presidency of Türkiye and Head of Department for the Ministry of Education. He has also worked as a consultant for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), alongside other key positions.

The Executive Secretariat of the IOC extends a warm welcome to the new management team, who will join Jaime Lillo, Executive Director, in guiding the Organization towards future achievements.