During this meeting, the leaders of each of NETSOB’s four working groups will share updates on progress and plans for future activities. In addition, we will introduce the Global Soil Biodiversity Observatory, GLOSOB, to members of NETSOB, the scientific community and other relevant stakeholders. We plan to address NETSOB’s alignment of the GLOSOB work plan with the conclusions and objectives of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and the plan of action 2020-2030 for the International Initiative for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Soil Biodiversity through: 

• Developing protocols, adopting harmonized methods and using tools to collect and digitize soil biodiversity data and improving mapping capabilities;
• Including soil biodiversity as an important component of soil description surveys using a large range of tools, including state-of-the-art methods and technology, and the development of bioindicators
• Establishing or strengthening, as appropriate, a monitoring network to assess and keep track of the abundance and diversity of multiple soil taxa or units and of the changes in soil biodiversity and its functioning
• Developing or identifying and implementing feasible indicators of soil biodiversity that are related to key ecosystem functions and services
• Strengthening education, research and capacity-building to use tools to monitor soil microbiodiversity that contribute to human, plant and soil health
• Promoting ecosystem-based approaches to conserve, restore and sustainably manage soil biodiversity in response to current global challenges.

A fruitful discussion is expected among all participants on the scope, challenges and opportunities posed by the implementation of GLOSOB and strategies for cooperation with the different existing initiatives. It is also expected to Scientists, researchers, international organizations, institutions, policymakers, and any other relevant stakeholders interested in contributing to the knowledge on soil biodiversity and its value for sustainable soil and land management are invited to attend the meeting.

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