The International Olive Council is the world’s only international intergovernmental organisation in the field of olive oil and table olives. It was set up in Madrid, Spain, in 1959, under the auspices of the United Nations. The Council is a decisive player in contributing to the sustainable and responsible development of olive growing and it serves as a world forum for discussing policymaking issues and tackling present and future challenges. It does so by: • Encouraging international technical cooperation on research and development projects, training and the transfer of technology. • Encouraging the expansion of international trade in olive oil and table olives, drawing up and updating product trade standards and improving quality. • Enhancing the environmental impact of olive growing and the olive industry. • Promoting world consumption of olive oil and table olives through innovative campaigns and action plans. • Supplying clear, accurate information and statistics on the world olive and olive oil market. • Enabling government representatives and experts to meet regularly to discuss problems and concerns and to fix priorities for IOC action. • Working in close partnership with the private sector. Its current membership includes the leading international producers and exporters of olive oil and table olives. IOC producer Members account for 98% of world olive production. The IOC is committed to the integrated, sustainable development of world olive growing. It attempts to translate this commitment into tangible advancement for its member countries and, most importantly, for the ordinary people who earn their livelihood from the produce of the olive tree.