Islamabad: Pakistan has joined an international alliance supporting the Lisbon Manifesto, “Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Scientific Evidence for Global Health,” launched following the Olive Oil World Congress 2026. This marks a significant development in the country’s engagement with global research and policy initiatives related to olive oil, nutrition, and public health.
According to Press Information Department, more than 60 organizations from 18 countries across four continents, including universities, research centers, farmers’ organizations, industry associations, sector bodies, and government representatives, have endorsed the Manifesto. Pakistan’s participation reflects the growing importance attached to the development of the country’s olive sector and to strengthening linkages between agricultural production, nutrition, research, and public health.
Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, stated that Pakistan’s participation in the Lisbon Manifesto demonstrates the government’s commitment to linking agricultural development with nutrition, scientific research, and public health. He emphasized the opportunity for Pakistan to further develop its olive sector through modern research, improved production practices, quality standards, and value addition.
The Minister said Pakistan is focusing on strengthening the entire olive value chain, from cultivation and quality planting material to processing, certification, marketing, and consumer awareness, enabling farmers to benefit from the sector’s potential. He stressed the importance of scientific research and international cooperation in developing a competitive and sustainable olive industry in Pakistan.
Rana Tanveer Hussain appreciated international partners and research institutions for promoting evidence-based work on olive oil and its nutritional properties. He affirmed that Pakistan would continue to encourage collaboration among agricultural research institutions, universities, farmers, and the private sector to enhance olive production and improve the quality and marketability of Pakistani olive oil.
The development of the olive sector is expected to contribute to agricultural diversification, farmers’ livelihoods, and food and nutrition security, while creating opportunities for value addition and new markets. The Lisbon Manifesto advocates for extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) to be prioritized among dietary fat sources and for its role to be considered in public health strategies addressing chronic non-communicable diseases. It highlights scientific evidence on the nutritional and bioactive properties of EVOO, particularly its polyphenol content, within a balanced diet.
The Manifesto also calls for enhanced research and professional training, increased availability of quality olive oil in public institutions like hospitals, care homes, and school canteens, and stronger systems for quality assurance, authenticity, traceability, and consumer information. Signatories will present the Manifesto to their respective governments, health systems, and relevant authorities, while the Olive Oil World Congress will submit it to international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) for consideration.
The Ministry of National Food Security and Research, through its National Olive Programme, will persist in facilitating collaboration among national research institutions, universities, farmers, industry, and international partners to promote scientific research, quality production, and value addition in Pakistan’s olive sector.