The new director general of The International Organisation Of Vine And Wine (OIV) has been announced. Philip Gregan, the CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers, said that the organisation was thrilled that New Zealander Doctor John Barker Had been elected as the new director general of New Director General Announced For The International Organisation Of Vine And Wine (OIV).
Dr John Barker
“Barker is an outstanding New Zealander and has a deep appreciation of the history and traditions of the global vine and wine sector, but also recognises the current opportunities and challenges that our industry is experiencing today,” said Gregan.
Barker is uniquely qualified for the role and currently runs his own legal and consulting practice, focussed primarily on the wine sector and regulation in the international wine industry. He was formerly New Zealand Winegrower’s General Counsel and General Manager Advocacy from 2004 to 2014.
Barker has also been involved with the OIV, attending his first OIV meeting in 2000 while researching his PhD thesis on the international regulation of the wine sector. He was appointed an Expert Delegate for New Zealand in 2004 and has actively participated in the OIV for 17 years in various roles, including President, Law and Economy Commission.
Gregan continued that Barker has the vision and the commitment to grow and strengthen the OIV to ensure that it effectively addresses the key issues facing the sector, both now and in the future.
“We thank the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Agriculture for their support.”
OIV is an intergovernmental organisation that issues recommendations on technical and scientific aspects of viticulture and winemaking. It has 49 Member States and 17 Observers. In 100 years of the OIV, there has never been a Director General from a Southern Hemisphere country. He will hold the position from 2024 to 2028.
Barker added that he was honoured to be elected as director general and thanked the New Zealand Winegrowers and the New Zealand Government for supporting his new appointment.
“I believe that it is essential for the global wine sector to have a modern, effective and representative international organisation, and I look forward to working together on the opportunities and challenges facing our industry like the digital economy, climate change and the role of wine in society,” said Barker.
