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The INAO at the 47th World Congress on Vines and Wine held in Yinchuan, China
From October 12 to 16, 2026, the INAO will lead the French delegation to the 47th World Congress of Vine and Wine, organized by the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) at the invitation of the government of the People’s Republic of China in Yinchuan, in the Ningxia region.
Discussing Contemporary Issues in the Global Wine Industry
This major event aims to develop standards and provide guidance and information to all stakeholders in the global wine and viticulture sector. Hundreds of experts, scientists, and researchers from more than 50 countries are expected to attend. This year’s conference theme is “Defining New Paradigms for the Global Vine and Wine Sector: Transforming to Meet Challenges, Innovating to Stimulate Vitality, and Sustaining to Secure a Shared Future.”
A congress organized in China, a new member of the OIV
China joined the OIV in 2024. The country has the third-largest vineyard area in the world, due in particular to its table grape acreage. It is also the eleventh-largest consumer and importer of wine, and the world’s leading producer of table grapes (43% of global production). China has expanded its wine production over the past few decades.
The INAO is present to promote GI labels and sustainability in viticulture
France will be represented by a delegation of experts, professionals, and officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of the Economy. Carole Ly, director of the INAO, will lead the French delegation. Christian Paly, president of the National Committee for Designations of Origin for Wines, Alcoholic Beverages, and Spirits; Eric Paul, president of the National Committee for PGI Wines and Ciders; and Jacques Gautier, national inspector, will also be present on behalf of the INAO. Jérôme Despey, Chair of the FranceAgriMer Specialized Council, will also be present.
In addition to delivering remarks at the opening ceremony, the INAO will participate in scientific sessions on geographical indications and sustainability and will chair the session dedicated to sustainability in viticulture. In particular, the sessions will highlight the work of the AOV and IGP committees regarding the methods developed to define actions aimed at preserving the sustainability of French GIs. The delegation will participate in the numerous scientific and technical discussions organized. In addition, a bilateral Franco-Chinese meeting is scheduled for October 16. It will provide an opportunity to discuss with Chinese authorities the importance of GIs, viticulture in France, grapevine plants, and cooperation between our two countries. Finally, a meeting on the sidelines of the congress is also planned with the CNIPA, the agency responsible for intellectual property and thus for the protection of GIs in China, with which the INAO has a cooperation agreement. This agreement has notably contributed to securing protection for 82 of the 84 Burgundy appellations in China, with the remaining two still pending recognition.
Learn more about the OIV
The International Organization of Vine and Wine, headquartered in Dijon, France, is an international organization founded in Paris in 1924, initially by the governments of Spain, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Tunisia. It now comprises 51 member states from every continent, representing producers and/or consumers of vine products (wines, table grapes, raisins), 18 observers, and more than 500 experts.
Its objective is to provide grape- and wine-producing and consuming countries with information to help establish standards and regulations for vine products, minimize trade barriers, promote sustainable production and protect consumers, as well as harmonize international practices and standards specific to this sector.