The International Conference on Grape and Wine Industries (ICGWI) took place on 9 – 10 June 2023, in the Helan Mountain Region of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in West China, under the high patronage of the OIV. The theme of the conference was “NICE: Nature, Innovation, Culture and Environment”. 

Over 400 attendees from all around the world come together for this conference to interact and discuss the global trends in the grape and wine industries. The 3rd China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo also took place at the same time.

The opening ceremony of the ICGWI was high level, with attendance of Chinese officials and Ministries from different countries, including Moldova, Peru, Georgia, Lebanon, Uruguay, Argentina and Algeria. The Ministries who could not attend the conference in person sent videos to transmit their messages, including France, Germany, Chile, South Africa and Australia. The OIV Director General sent a video which was displayed during the ceremony and transmitted the message stating the importance of China becoming a member state of the OIV.

“To continue working towards the future, we now look forward to having China as a full member very soon, with all the rights and influence that the nation deserves”, said Mr Roca, who believes in China for its potential, research and new technologies to have its right in shaping the global vine and wine tendencies.

On the second day of the ICGWI, four parallel sessions took place which included in-depth communications on the main topics concerning the grape and wine industries. In that regard, the sessions were divided as “Nature and Terroir”, “Science and Technology”, “Trade and Investment” and “Cultural Brands and Integration”.