Strengthening of soil data and information is the goal of pillar 4 of the Global Soil Partnership. Since 2012, an effort was made to develop a coherent Plan of Action for Pillar 4 which was endorsed by the GSP Plenary Assembly in 2014. Following the “guidelines for the development of Plans of Action of the GSP Pillars”, an implementation plan was developed following an inclusive approach. Since this plan envisages the establishment of a Global Soil Information System (based on a distributed model), and requires the active participation and contribution of national soil information institutions, an International Network of Soil Information Institutions (INSII) has been established.

The workshop “Establishment of the International Network of Soil Information Institutions” took place at FAO Headquarters on 8-10 December 2015. During this workshop, the structure, roadmap, roles and responsibilities for the execution of Pillar 4 were discussed and decided.