Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS)
The Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS) was established at the first Plenary Assembly of the Global Soil Partnership held at FAO Headquarters in 2013. The ITPS is composed of 27 top
soil experts representing all the regions of the world. The main function of the ITPS is to provide scientific and technical advice and guidance on global soil issues to the Global Soil Partnership primarily and to specific requests submitted by global
or regional institutions.
The ITPS advocates for addressing sustainable soil management in the different sustainable development agendas.
ITPS Functions and duties
The ITPS have the following functions:
- Provide scientific and technical advice on global soil issues primarily to the GSP and in relation to specific requests submitted by global or regional institutions.
- Advocate for the inclusion of sustainable soil management into different development agendas.
- Review and follow up on the situation and issues related to soils in the contexts of food security, use and management of natural resources, ecosystem services provision, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and other relevant areas.
- Follow up on the implementation of these Plans of Action with due attention to their impact and contributions to different global policies and initiatives related to sustainable development, MDGs, food security, climate change adaptation and other subject matters.
- In exceptional cases, when complex technical matters arise, request the Plenary Assembly and the Secretariat to form technical committees aiming to gather specific advice.
The ITPS members have the following duties:
- Provide scientific and technical advice on global soil issues to the GSP
- Sign a “non-conflict of interest” declaration
- Participate at the Plenary Assembly, as stipulated in the ToR of the GSP
- Appoint a Chairperson by consensus
ITPS panels
ITPS panel 2025-2028
Fifth panel
ITPS panel 2022-2025
Fourth panel
ITPS panel 2018-2021
Third panel
ITPS panel 2015-2017
Second panel
ITPS panel 2013-2015
First panel
ITPS Soil letters
The hidden impacts of conflict – How conflict impacts soil health, agriculture and food security - ITPS Soil Letters #11
2026
The document explores the impacts of conflicts on soils and identify potential actions to rebuilding sustainable and resilient agricultural systems...
Biochar in sustainable soil management: potential and constraints - ITPS Soil Letters #8
2023
Biochar, derived from the pyrolysis of organic materials, is a decomposure-resistant soil amendment that enhances fertility, boosts agricultural productivity,...
Urbanisation and soil sealing - ITPS Soil Letters #5
2022
An important service provided by soils is the support of human settlements, structures and infrastructures. However, once urbanised, soils are usually...
Spectroscopy: towards eco and human friendly soil analysis - ITPS Soil Letters #4
2021
A study conducted by the FAO Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN) showed that most standard chemical analyses have medium or high risks to human...
Soil organic carbon and nitrogen: Reviewing the challenges for climate change mitigation and adaptation in agri-food systems
2021
Carbon and nitrogen participate directly in a wide variety of soil processes that are key to the food system and for the provision of ecosystem services..
ITPS Working sessions
20/3
2017
24/3
2017
Sixth session of the Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS)
20/03/2017 - 24/03/2017
The second panel of ITPS experts will meet for its sixth Working session on the 20 and 24th March 2017. Draft Agenda
30/10
2017
3/11
2017
Seventh session of the Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS)
30/10/2017 - 03/11/2017
The second panel of ITPS experts will meet for its seventh Working session for two days: on the 30 October 2017 and on the 3 November.
1/5
2018
5/5
2018
8th Working Session of the ITPS
01/05/2018 - 05/05/2018
The Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils hold its eighth working session from 1 to 5 May 2018 at FAO Headquarters in Rome. The meeting will partially overlap with the Global Symposium on Soil...
10/10
2018
12/10
2018
9th Working Session of the ITPS
10/10/2018 - 12/10/2018
As the top scientific panelist on soil, ITPS experts meets twice a year to make progress in reversing soil degradation and promoting healthy soils under the framework of the Global...
13/5
2019
17/5
2019
10th Working Session of the ITPS
13/05/2019 - 17/05/2019
The Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS) held its 10th working session on 13 - 17 May 2019 at FAO HQ, Rome, Italy during the Global Symposium on Soil Erosion (GSER19),...