CIHEAM Zaragoza has actively participated in a major international workshop focused on olive tree genetic resources and climate change adaptation, held from 23 to 26 June 2025 in Rende, Italy. The workshop, titled "Transfer of Olive Tree Genetic Resources and Associated Research Data: A Path to Solutions in the Adaptation to Climate Change", was jointly organised by the International Olive Council (IOC) in collaboration with CIHEAM Zaragoza, CREA-OFA, and other strategic partners. The event received support from the Italian Ministry of Agriculture and the Calabria Region.
Addressing climate challenges in Mediterranean olive growing
The workshop forms part of the IOC's ongoing efforts to strengthen the management and coordination of the olive tree genetic resources network, which plays a crucial role in the sustainable development of Mediterranean olive cultivation. As the Mediterranean region faces growing climate pressures, the conservation, exchange, and responsible use of olive genetic material—including plants, cuttings, DNA sequences and associated data—has become increasingly urgent and strategic.
The meeting brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including leading scientists, policymakers, gene bank curators, and project coordinators involved in cutting-edge research and capacity building.
Main highlights of the workshop
The programme included several important elements. Keynote presentations highlighted the importance of genetic diversity in improving climate resilience, productivity, and disease resistance in olive orchards. An overview of the international olive germplasm network was provided, featuring open discussions between gene bank curators about challenges in material exchange and traceability. Several European and international projects were presented, including GEN4OLIVE, CLIMEOLIVEMED, and BEXYL, demonstrating innovative approaches to olive breeding, conservation strategies, and responses to biological stress. Technical sessions featured representatives from the FAO International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) and The Crop Trust, promoting alignment with global governance mechanisms and standards. Field visits to Terranova da Sibari and Corigliano allowed participants to observe experimental collections and olive oil processing facilities, encouraging dialogue between research and practice.
Key strategic outcomes
The workshop concluded with a collective call to action. This included the need to integrate more national gene banks into the FAO Treaty framework, the development of a global conservation strategy for Olea europaea, and the strengthening of the IOC Expert Group and the promotion of Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) to improve traceability and data sharing across collections.
CIHEAM Zaragoza's Commitment
CIHEAM Zaragoza is proud to have contributed to this important initiative, reinforcing its strategic commitment to supporting science-driven, inclusive, and sustainable food systems in the Mediterranean region. Through its participation, CIHEAM Zaragoza continues to connect research, training, and policy dialogue in support of agricultural resilience and biodiversity conservation.