FAO, its Global Soil Partnership (GSP) and the International Network on Soil Pollution (INSOP) are pleased to convene this two‑day technical meeting to review progress, strengthen collaboration and shape the future direction of global efforts to combat soil pollution.

Bringing together experts from around the world, the meeting will provide an opportunity to assess ongoing work across INSOP’s thematic working groups, share scientific and technical updates, and collectively plan the INSOP work programme for 2026–2027. 

Agenda

THURSDAY, 29 January 2026 (CET)

Moderated by: Natalia Rodriguez Eugenio, GSP Secretariat, FAO

12:00–12:05 — Opening
Thorunn Wolfram, GSP Secretary, FAO

12:05–12:15 — Recap on INSOP Action Plan 2023–2025, Structure and Governance
Ravi Naidu, INSOP Chair

12:15–12:25 — Progress of the Working Group on Soil Pollution Assessment & Way Forward

1. Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for measuring pesticide residues in soil
2. SOP for measuring microplastics in soil
   Eleni Karasali, INSOP Assessment WG Coordinator
   Fang Wang, IAEA

12:25–12:35 — Q&A

12:35–12:45 — Progress of the Working Group on Soil Pollution Monitoring & Way Forward

1. Contaminant threshold values database
   Deyi Hou, INSOP Vice-Chair

12:45–12:55 — Q&A

13:05–13:15 — Progress of the Working Group on Soil Pollution Remediation & Way Forward

1. Soil pollution checklist: implementation and dissemination plans
   Fang Wang, INSOP Remediation WG Coordinator

13:15–13:25 — Q&A

13:25–13:35 — Progress of the Working Group on Soil Pollution & Food Safety & Way Forward

1. Soil pollution module in the Global Soil Doctors Programme: implementation and dissemination plans
   David O’Connor, INSOP Food Safety WG Coordinator

13:35–13:45 — Q&A

13:45–13:55 — Introduction of Candidates for Coordination of the WGs on Soil Pollution Monitoring and Soil & Groundwater Pollution
Ravi Naidu, INSOP Chair

13:55–14:00 — Closure of the Day
Deyi Hou, INSOP Vice-Chair

FRIDAY, 30 January 2026 (CET)

Moderated by: Natalia Rodriguez Eugenio, GSP Secretariat, FAO

12:00–12:05 — Welcome and Agenda of the Day
Ravi Naidu, INSOP Chair

Technical Session on Soil Pollution Worldwide

12:05–12:25 — Keynote Presentation: Soil Pollution in Conflict-Affected Areas
(TBC)

12:25–12:30 — Q&A

12:30–12:40 — Progress on Soil Pollution Risk Assessment and Contaminants of Emerging Concern (European Soil Observatory, JRC, European Commission)
(TBC)

12:40–12:45 — Q&A

12:45–12:55 — Approaches to Human Health Risk Assessment
(TBC)

12:55–13:00 — Q&A

13:00–13:10 — Healthy Soils, Healthy Lives: Confronting the Soil Pollution Crisis in Africa
Chuks Odoh, Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, University of Newcastle

13:10–13:15 — Q&A

INSOP Planning – Work Plan for 2026–2027

13:15–13:20 — Presentation of the Draft INSOP Work Plan 2026–2027
Ravi Naidu, INSOP Chair

13:20–13:45 — Open Discussion on INSOP Work Plan 2026–2027
All INSOP Members

13:45–13:50 — Endorsement of the INSOP Work Plan and Decisions for 2025–2027

13:50–13:55 — Election of the Chair for the WG on Monitoring and Groundwater

13:55–14:00 — Wrap-Up and Closure of the Meeting
Ravi Naidu, INSOP Chair

The sessions will be moderated by Natalia Rodriguez Eugenio, GSP Secretariat, FAO.