HIBAPRESS – Abdellatif Baraka
The Kingdom of Morocco was elected to head the International Olive Council for the year 2026 during the 122nd session of the Council, which was held in the Spanish city of Cordoba. This reflects international confidence in its agricultural experience and its leading position in the olive sector.
The Council includes countries representing about 94 percent of the world's olive production, making Morocco's presidency an opportunity to strengthen its presence and influence on global policies for the sector. The session was distinguished by the adoption of the Cordoba Declaration, which outlines a strategic vision for the sustainable development of olives, with a focus on protecting biodiversity, combating desertification, and enhancing quality and productivity. New initiatives included launching a tool to measure the carbon footprint of olive groves and updating the global database, in addition to developing quality and analysis standards. The olive sector is one of the economic pillars of the Kingdom, providing job opportunities for thousands in rural areas and covering millions of hectares of agricultural land after its "Green Morocco" and "Green Generation 2020–2030" strategies contributed to raising productivity and improving product quality. Morocco's presidency of the Council provides an opportunity to enhance international cooperation, support agricultural innovation, and preserve the genetic heritage of the olive tree, thereby enhancing the Kingdom's influence and leadership in a vital sector that combines economic, environmental, and cultural dimensions.
