Pakistan’s Ambassador to Spain, His Excellency Dr. Zahoor Ahmed, today signed the Instrument of Accession for Pakistan’s full membership of the International Olive Council at the organization’s headquarters in Madrid. The Executive Director of the IOC, Jaime Lillo, was also present on the occasion.

Pakistan’s accession to the IOC is being regarded as a significant milestone towards promoting olive cultivation in the country, strengthening the olive oil sector, and benefiting from international expertise, research, technical cooperation, and modern practices in the olive industry.

Last year, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, led the Pakistani delegation at the 122nd Session of the Council of Members of the International Olive Council held in Córdoba, where Pakistan participated as an observer. During the session, he presented Pakistan’s candidature for IOC membership and highlighted the growing potential for olive cultivation and olive oil production in the country.

Pakistan is expected to participate as a full member in the 123rd Session of the Council of Members, scheduled to be held in June 2026.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Dr. Zahoor Ahmed stated that Pakistan possesses immense potential for olive production, particularly due to the country’s favorable climatic conditions, expanding area under olive cultivation, and ongoing national initiatives aimed at developing the sector. He noted that full membership of the IOC would create new opportunities for Pakistan in capacity building, quality enhancement, research, technology transfer, and market development.

IOC Executive Director Jaime Lillo welcomed Pakistan as a full member of the organization and expressed hope that Pakistan’s inclusion would further strengthen cooperation with the IOC and contribute to the development of Pakistan’s olive sector.

The signed Instrument of Accession will be submitted to the Treaty Section of the United Nations, after which the formal treaty process for Pakistan’s membership in the IOC will be completed.

The International Olive Council, headquartered in Madrid, is the world’s largest intergovernmental organization in the field of olives and olive oil. Pakistan’s membership is expected to further strengthen ties with global partners and play an important role in the development of the olive value chain in the country.