The Lisbon Manifesto Already Brings Together 15 Institutions and Companies from Five Countries

The Olive Oil World Congress (OOWC), held in Lisbon on 2–3 July, not only brought together the world's leading olive oil stakeholders. It also marked the launch of something even more ambitious: the Lisbon Manifesto, an international consensus document that, for the first time, aligns scientific institutions, public bodies and industry companies around a shared objective: ensuring that the scientific evidence on the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is translated into concrete public policies.

Since its launch, the Manifesto has continued to gain momentum. It has now been signed by 15 organisations: the University of Navarra (UNAV), the Málaga Biomedical Research Institute (IBIMA), the Zaidín Experimental Station (CSIC), CIHEAM Zaragoza, the Institute of Agriculture and Tourism of Poreč (Croatia), the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries (MADRP, Algeria), Fundación del Olivar, Citoliva, Dazeite, InovTechagro, Geoterme, ADSAICA, Almazara Ecológica de Encinasola, Loralai Olives, and Oleo Revista.

Together, these academic institutions, research centres, government bodies, companies and specialised media outlets form an international network united by a common conviction: the scientific knowledge surrounding EVOO can no longer remain confined to laboratories.

To date, organisations from five countries have joined the initiative, committing to promote EVOO as the preferred dietary fat within healthy eating patterns, strengthen the education of healthcare professionals, combat misinformation about dietary fats, and reinforce international cooperation between the scientific community, the olive oil sector and public administrations.

What Does the Manifesto Say?
The document builds on decades of scientific research, from the landmark PREDIMED study—which demonstrated that a Mediterranean diet enriched with EVOO reduces cardiovascular risk by around 30%—to the latest evidence highlighting EVOO's role in helping prevent cancer, type 2 diabetes and cognitive decline.

The Manifesto goes one step further by setting out a practical roadmap to ensure this scientific knowledge is incorporated into dietary guidelines, hospitals, school meal programmes and, ultimately, reaches consumers.

The Call for Signatories Remains Open
The Lisbon Manifesto remains open for new signatories until 7 September 2026. Any institution, company or organisation wishing to join this collective commitment can do so easily by sending an email to info@oliveoilw.com including the organisation's name and official logo.

This is an opportunity for organisations to become part of a landmark initiative for both the olive oil sector and public health.