During a working meeting with the President of the National Institute of Vitiviniculture (INAVI), Mr José Lez Secchi, and members of the board, Mr Aurand gave a presentation on the situation of the vitivinicultural sector and its major developments on a global scale. This presentation was followed by a discussion regarding the position of Uruguayan viticulture within this context and the key issues it faces.

The President of the INAVI confirmed that he wanted to further strengthen Uruguay's presence within the various working groups of the Organisation.

During a meeting with the Minister for Agriculture, agricultural engineer Tabaré Aguerre, the Minister stressed the Government's desire to develop the vitivinicultural sector by promoting the production of quality wines and the image of the Tannat vine variety. The Minister also expressed the hope that Uruguay might host an OIV World Congress of Vine and Wine in the near future.

Finally, Mr Aurand attended the presentation of awards to vitivinicultural companies who took part in "Catas solidarias", an approach based around solidarity with disadvantaged populations.

One of the winners for the year 2014 was Mr Olivier Serra, whose history of law thesis on "Legislators and the vitivinicultural market under the French Third Republic" won him the Grand Prix. The Academy also gave a Prix d'initiative award to the Wine Mosaic organisation for their project, which protects and promotes little-known vine varieties. Mr Jean-Marie Aurand, Director General of the OIV, who was present at this ceremony, congratulated the award winners and highlighted the Amorim Academy's actions in favour of scientific research as well as the Academy's role as an observer of the OIV.

Mr Aurand presented in detail the functions and activities of the OIV and the advantage for consumer countries, in particular, of being involved in the work and the scientific community of the Organisation.

The Korean Ambassador highlighted the increase in wine consumption in his country, noting the growing share of Asian countries in global wine trade. The Director General of the OIV said that the contact he had made in Seoul with the ministries responsible for food and agriculture had led to a constructive dialogue and hoped that the Embassy could be an information relay to Korean Foreign Affairs in order to advance the idea of joining the OIV.

More than 125 lawyers from 20 different countries participated in this meeting in Beaune, Burgundy on the topic of access to wine markets, along with speakers from intergovernmental organisations such as the WTO, the OIV or the EU, professional organisations, lawyers and specialist economists. http://www.aidv.org/2014frbeaune/index.html

Mr Aurand explained how the scientific and technical contribution of the OIV can facilitate the world wine trade, while recalling that its activities are carried out within the framework of other international agreements on intellectual property and trade.