On this occasion, during a presentation of the wine sector, Ms Gabriela Matečná, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, highlighted the variety of terroirs that determine a rich variety of quality wines. The Slovak Republic is implementing a programme of modernisation, which endeavours to promote the use of new vine varieties and native vine varieties, as well as encouraging initiatives with the aim of developing wine tourism. The Small Carpathian Wine Route, which runs along the vineyards of almost 400 grape growers, is an illustration of this.

Around 15 companies took part in the tasting that followed the presentation.

Jean-Marie Aurand praised the quality of the existing relations between the OIV and the Slovak Republic, which supports the guidelines and work of the Organisation. The Director General also made reference to the action of H.E Ambassador František Lipka as President of the OIV Award Jury, which every year recognises authors and editors of works on different aspects of vitiviniculture (technical, economical, historical or cultural).

With a surface area of 16,600 ha and production of 310,000 hL of wine per year – 70% of which were designation of origin wines – the Slovak vitivinicultural sector has seen a major revival.

The 4 per 1000 initiative aims to promote sustainable soil management in order to take action for food safety and the climate. The event attracts a large number of personalities from all arenas: government representatives, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, and research institutions. During the opening session, Monika Christmann gave a presentation on the OIV, including its involvement in issues related to environmental protection and sustainability.

Soils are a place of considerable carbon stocks, yet often overlooked. An increase of 0.4% per year of soil carbon stocks, thanks to adapted cultivation practices, could absorb up to 80% of total greenhouse-gas emissions.

The aim of the 4 per 1000 initiative is to encourage approaches that seek to promote carbon sequestration in soils.

The initiative, launched by the French government during COP21 in 2015, has seen strong expansion since. Today the consortium has 21 countries and 11 intergovernmental organisations as members – including the OIV – while 19 countries and over 100 non-governmental organisations and research institutions take part as forum members.