Structure

• The annual work programme of the Executive Secretariat for the functioning of the Organisation, namely as regards the budget, financial rules and internal and statutory rules;
• Supervising the implementation of the internal control standards set out;
• Examining the draft annual budget of the International Olive Council proposed by the Executive Director;
• Examining and submitting the accounts for the preceding financial year to the Council of Members for adoption at its first regular session of the calendar year together with any other measure concerning financial and administrative matters;
• Providing advice and recommendations on matters related to the implementation of the Agreement;
• Examining and reporting to the Council of Members with regard to applications for accession or examining with regard to the withdrawal of a Member of the International Olive Council;
• Reviewing compliance with the principles enshrined in article 7 on the appointments of the staff to the Executive Secretariat and other issues related to administrative and organisational matters.

• To seek to achieve uniformity in national and international legislation relating to the physico-chemical and organoleptic characteristics of olive oils, olive pomace oils and table olives in order to prevent any obstacle to trade
• To conduct activities in the area of physico-chemical and organoleptic testing in order to add to the knowledge of the composition and quality characteristics of olive products, with a view to consolidating international standards and so enabling:
  • Product quality control
  • International trade and its development
  • Protection of consumer rights
  • Prevention of fraudulent and misleading practices and adulteration.
• To strengthen the role of the International Olive Council as a forum of excellence for the international scientific community in the area of olive oil and table olives;
• To coordinate studies and research on the nutritional qualities and other intrinsic properties of olive oil and table olives to facilitate the exchange of information on international trade flows.

• To promote technical cooperation and research and development in the olive sector by encouraging the cooperation of public or private bodies and/or entities, whether national or international;
• To conduct activities for the identification, preservation and utilisation of the gene sources of olive trees;
• To study the interaction between olive growing and the environment, particularly with a view to promoting environmental conservation and sustainable production, and to ensure the integrated and sustainable development of the sector;
• To foster the transfer of technology through training activities in areas connected with the olive sector by organising international, regional and national activities;
• To promote the protection of geographical indications of olive products in compliance with the corresponding international agreements to which a Member may be a party;
• To encourage the exchange of information and experience in the phytosanitary field of olive growing.

• To enhance the role of the International Olive Council as a world documentation and information centre on olive trees and their products and as a meeting point for all operators in the sector;
• To promote the consumption of olive products, the expansion of international trade of olive oil and table olives and information on the trade standards of the International Olive Council;
• To support international and regional activities encouraging the dissemination of generic scientific information on the nutritional, health and other properties of olive oil and table olives with a view to improving consumer information;
• To examine the world balances for olive oil, olive pomace oils and table olives, undertake studies and propose appropriate measures;
• To disseminate economic data and analyses on olive oil and table olives and provide Members with the indicators necessary to contribute to the smooth functioning of olive product markets;
• To disseminate and use the results of research and development programmes linked to olive growing and study their applicability in increasing production efficiency.

• Its representatives are drawn from all the branches of the olive sector – producers, processors, traders and consumers – in the member countries. The Committee was established to voice the opinions of business circles and to tap into their hands-on knowledge to help the Executive Secretariat find effective solutions to problems and to keep its finger on the pulse of the industry.

The Economic & Promotion Affairs Unit is in charge of drawing up and implementing IOC promotional policy and activities and of producing promotional publications and material.

PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES

• IOC promotion is largely carried out through a grant funding programme and through campaigns proper.
• In the first case, the Division runs two schemes for the award of grants. The first is for generic promotional and scientific events (trade fairs, exhibitions, food demonstrations etc.) held in traditional producer and consumer countries. The second is geared towards providing financing for national programmes to promote local consumption of olive oil and table olives in producer IOC member countries which are not Members of the European Union.
• In the second case, the Division oversees educational promotion campaigns on new emerging markets characterised by fast growing economies, very large populations and high market potential for food consumption, particularly of olive oil and olives.

PUBLICATIONS

• The Division produces a range of information: leaflets, booklets, an official magazine (Olivae, available in Arabic, English, French, Italian and Spanish), videos, … – for release during campaigns, at promotional events and in response to enquiries from the general public.

OTHER

• This unit also responsible from tasks such as organising media tours of olive growing countries for specialist journalists, representing the IOC at events in general and hosting stands at trade fairs to mention just a few.

ECONOMIC ACTIVITES

• Preparation of working documents describing and analysing economic conditions on the olive oil and table olive markets, which are then examined by the IOC at its sessions.
• Carrying out of market research and other economic analysis and statistical work on the olive/olive sector requested by the IOC Members.
• Updating and processing the IOC statistical database on the world markets for olive oils, table olives and for other fluid edible vegetable oils and fats.
• Reviewing market conditions.
• Tracking olive oil and table olive imports by the countries where the IOC conducts promotional activities.
• Conducting retrospective and prospective studies on the olive oil and table olive market.

This is a crucial area of IOC work broadly spanning the constant development or updating of chemical and sensory testing methods for olive oils and table olives for inclusion in the IOC trade standards and the harmonisation of international standards or regulations. The Division also runs a prestigious recognition scheme for olive oil chemical and sensory testing laboratories and organises the IOC Mario Solinas Quality Award, an annual international award for excellence in the production of extra virgin olive oil. The general aim of this Unit, according to the 2015 International Agreement on Olive oil and Table Olives, are the followings:

• To seek to achieve uniformity in national and international legislation relating to the physico-chemical and organoleptic characteristics of olive oils, olive pomace oils and table olives in order to prevent any obstacle to trade;
• To conduct activities in the area of physico-chemical and organoleptic testing in order to add to the knowledge of the composition and quality characteristics of olive products, with a view to consolidating international standards and so enabling: • Product quality control; • International trade and its development; • Protection of consumer rights; • Prevention of fraudulent and misleading practices and adulteration.
• To strengthen the role of the International Olive Council as a forum of excellence for the international scientific community in the area of olives and olive oil;
• To coordinate studies and research on the nutritional qualities and other intrinsic properties of olive oil and table olives;
• To facilitate the exchange of information on international trade flows.

This is a significant subject for the members in terms of improvement their capacities and raise the quality. The general aim of this Unit, according to the 2015 International Agreement on Olive oil and Table Olives, are the followings:

• To promote technical cooperation and research and development in the olive sector by encouraging the cooperation of public or private bodies and/or entities, whether national or international;
• To conduct activities for the identification, preservation and utilization of the gene sources of olive trees;
• To study the interaction between olive growing and the environment, particularly with a view to promoting environmental conservation and sustainable production, and to ensure the integrated and sustainable development of the sector;
• To foster the transfer of technology through training activities in the fields connected with the olive sector by organizing international, regional and national activities;
• To promote the protection of geographical indications of olive products in compliance with the corresponding international agreements to which a member may be a party;
• To encourage the exchange of information and experience in the phytosanitary field on olive growing.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

• R & D work is mainly channelled through the development and implementation of technical projects, often in partnership with the Common Fund for Commodities or other institutions, designed to transfer technology.

TRAINING

• Training activities include the organisation of international courses, national seminars and workshops, inhouse training opportunities at top European research centres, scholarships for post-graduate studies.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES

• On request, the Technical Unit arranges field trips to visit olive orchards and processing facilities and research centres for groups from the member countries. It also arranges for experts to visit any member countries requiring consultancy services to deal with specific problems.
• The Unit also publishes the information generated by its activities in addition to handbooks and CDs on subjects like production techniques in olive growing or olive nursery production.

Its main functions are the administrative management of all the staff of the Organisation, the implementation of human resources management policy, staff support, advice and information of staff, the management and supervision of resource allocation in terms of jobs and payroll; the coordination with Executive Secretariat team and support for the performance of activities; the management and monitoring of the budget and four-year plan and the management and supervision of movable and immovable property and stocks.

This unit is responsible for the management and monitoring of the IOC Budgets. It prepares the Financial Statements of the Organization and manages the treasury of the Institution.

Is responsible, moreover, for:

• Ensure smooth operation of budgetary accounting, cash flow management and financial accounting.
• Manage treasury and petty cash payments.
• Establish and validate accounting systems and methods.
• Coordinate activities relating to the preparation of the annual budget and four-year plan.
• Coordinate the accounting entry of transactions and commit payments.
• Coordinate the preparation of the financial statements.
• Manage and safekeep accounting and financial documents, including the register of exceptions.
• The budget and financial rules.
• The draft annual budget of the International Olive Council proposed by the Executive Director.
• Examining and submitting the accounts for the preceding financial year to the Council of Members for adoption at its first regular session of the calendar year together with any other measure concerning financial matters.
• Examining and reporting to the Council of Members with regard to applications for accession or examining with regard to the withdrawal of a Member of the International Olive Council.

OBSERVATOR (DOCUMENTATION) AND INFORMATION

• Put in place and administer collaborative information platform.
• Coordinate information, data and indicators.
• Ensure compliance with deadlines for supplying platform input.
• Coordination of the monthly newsletter and the online journal OLIVAE.
• Dissemination of information.

INFORMATION SYSTEMS

• Administer the servers and computer networks, manage client workstations and ensures software and information system upgrading.
• Administer IOC website.
• Put in place IT security procedures and ensure compliance with the IT charter.
• Help users with the IT environment.
• Help to keep track of technological developments and ensure the application of New Information and Communication Technologies (NICT) at the IOC.
• Liaise with suppliers and IT service providers.