Pakistan joins International Olive Council as permanent member, showcases expanding olive industry

Pakistan formally assumed its seat as a permanent member of the International Olive Council (IOC) during the organization's 123rd Council Session in Lisbon, Portugal, marking a significant step in the country's efforts to establish itself as an emerging olive producing nation.

The milestone follows Pakistan's admission to the UN-affiliated International Olive Council in May 2026, after which it was invited to participate in the council alongside 27 other olive oil producing countries.

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain led Pakistan's delegation to the session, accompanied by Pakistan's Ambassador to Portugal, Aisha Farooqui, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

During his address, the minister outlined the rapid expansion of Pakistan's olive industry, saying the country has cultivated more than seven million olive trees across 55,669 acres, with olive growing clusters continuing to spread into new regions.

He said Pakistan has developed a complete farm to fork ecosystem for the sector, comprising 51 olive oil extraction units, modern processing facilities, certified nurseries, weather monitoring stations and four quality testing laboratories that comply with IOC standards.

Tanveer also said Pakistan has achieved self sufficiency in the production of certified olive saplings, strengthening the foundation for long term growth of the domestic industry.

Highlighting Pakistan's progress on the international stage, the minister noted that the country's olive oil industry received a Silver Award at the New York International Olive Oil Competition (NYIOOC) last year.

According to the MoFA, Pakistan's entry into the council was warmly welcomed by the IOC Executive Director, the Chairman of the Council and member states.

The minister thanked the organization for extending membership to Pakistan and reaffirmed the country's commitment to supporting the IOC's objectives. He said Pakistan looks forward to playing a constructive role in promoting the sustainable and climate resilient development of the global olive oil and table olive sectors.

This version substantially restructures the story by leading with the geopolitical milestone, moving the background into the second paragraph, grouping all industry statistics together, and ending with the diplomatic and policy commitments rather than following the source's chronology.