Portugal and the IOC are preparing in Lisbon for the 123rd Session of the Council of Members and the 66th Meeting of the Advisory Committee

Lisbon will become the leading international meeting point for the olive sector at the end of June with the hosting of the 123rd Session of the Council of Members of the International Olive Council (IOC), the 66th Meeting of its Advisory Committee, and the second edition of the Olive Oil World Congress (OOWC).

Preparations for these events were reviewed at a meeting held in the Portuguese capital between the IOC Executive Director, Jaime Lillo, and Portugal’s Minister of Agriculture and Maritime Affairs, José Manuel Fernandes. Organized by the Government of Portugal, the three events will take place from 29 June to 1 July 2026 and will bring together institutional representatives, companies, researchers, and professionals from across the olive oil and table olive value chain.

The 123rd Session of the Council of Members, the IOC’s highest decision-making body, will gather representatives from the organization’s 48 member countries, which account for approximately 95% of global olive oil and table olive production. During the working sessions, participants will address strategic issues shaping the future of the sector, including quality, sustainability, standardization, research, climate change, international cooperation, and the promotion of olive products.

Prior to the session, the IOC’s 66th Advisory Committee Meeting will bring together more than 60 representatives of producer organizations, consumers, importers, exporters, traders, and other stakeholders linked to the value chain. The forum will provide an opportunity to exchange experiences, analyze the main challenges facing the market, and explore new avenues of collaboration aimed at strengthening the sector’s competitiveness.

One of the highlights will be the second Olive Oil World Congress (OOWC), scheduled for 1 July in Lisbon. Following the success of its first edition, held in Madrid in 2024, the congress will once again bring together international experts, research centers, institutions, and leading companies to discuss innovation, sustainability, technology, quality, marketing, and consumer trends.

Organizers expect this second edition to strengthen international dialogue and cooperation among all stakeholders in the value chain, helping to promote a more innovative, sustainable, and competitive sector.

By hosting these three events, Portugal will reinforce its position as one of the leading global venues for discussion and reflection on the future of olive oil, while consolidating Lisbon’s role as the institutional and business hub of the sector during those days.