CIHEAM Zaragoza participates in the olive genetic resources conference.

CIHEAM Zaragoza played an active role in a major international conference focused on olive genetic resources and their adaptation to climate change, held from 23 to 26 June 2025 in Rende, Italy. The event, titled “Transfer of Olive Tree Genetic Resources and Associated Research Data: A Path to Solutions in the Adaptation to Climate Change”, was organised by the International Olive Council (IOC) in collaboration with CIHEAM Zaragoza, CREA-OFA, and other strategic partners. The conference was supported by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture and the Region of Calabria.

ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE CHALLENGES IN OLIVE GROWING

This event forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the management and coordination of the Olive Genetic Resources Network, which plays a crucial role in the sustainable development of Mediterranean olive cultivation. In the face of growing climate pressures, the conservation, sharing, and responsible use of olive genetic material — including plants, cuttings, DNA sequences, and associated data — has become both a strategic and urgent priority.

The conference brought together a multidisciplinary group of experts, including leading scientists, policymakers, genetic resource curators, and coordinators of advanced research projects and training programmes.

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS

The programme addressed several key topics. The keynote speeches emphasised the importance of genetic diversity to enhance climate resilience, boost productivity, and increase resistance to disease in olive groves. Following an overview of the international olive germplasm bank network, a roundtable discussion among gene bank curators tackled the current challenges of material exchange and traceability.

Several European and international projects were presented, including GEN4OLIVE, CLIMEOLIVEMED, and BEXYL, which contribute innovative approaches to olive breeding, conservation strategies, and responses to biological stress. Technical sessions included representatives from the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) and The Crop Trust, who stressed the need for greater alignment with global governance mechanisms and international regulations.

As part of the programme, participants visited Terranova da Sibari and Corigliano to observe experimental collections and olive oil processing facilities, providing a valuable link between research and practice.

STRATEGIC OUTCOMES

The conference concluded with a collective call to action. Key recommendations included the integration of more national gene banks under the FAO Treaty framework, the development of a global conservation strategy for Olea europaea, the strengthening of the IOC Expert Group, and the promotion of Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) as tools to improve traceability and data sharing among collections.

CIHEAM ZARAGOZA'S COMMITMENT

CIHEAM Zaragoza is proud to have contributed actively to this important initiative, reaffirming its strategic commitment to supporting sustainable and inclusive food systems grounded in science. Through its participation, CIHEAM Zaragoza consolidates its role as a bridge between research, training, and policy dialogue in support of agricultural resilience and biodiversity conservation.