Secretariat: Nicole Wellbrock and Julia von Guilleaume
(Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries)

Zoom link: TBC
Password: TBC

Draft Agenda

23 April 2026 | 10:00–17:00 | Mexico Room

Sustainable soil management in Europe

Presentations, discussions and thematic round tables

1. Policy framing: Towards a European voluntary guideline for sustainable soil management

Overview presentations

• Scoping: management options for unhealthy soils
• Policy guidelines for sustainable soil management in Europe: design options, expectations, synergies, implementation conditions and requirements

Statements

• Reflections by stakeholders (each participating stakeholder to summarize their engagement for sustainable soil management)

2. Management impact on soil health: what is possible, feasible, efficient and effective?

Practices and implementation conditions
(expert pitches and round tables)

• Management of soils with high susceptibility to erosion
• Sustainable increase of soil organic carbon (SOC)
• Risk management of polluted soils, particularly in agriculture and urban areas
• Reducing new soil sealing while addressing urban development needs
• Challenges for balanced nutrient management
• Practices to improve soil biodiversity
• Rehabilitation of soils as water retention systems
• Restoration and decompaction of topsoils and subsoils

3. Writing and coordination process

• Extended table of contents (eToC)
• Input and writing process
• Review and revision

Joint dinner near FAO (self-pay)

24 April 2026 | 09:00–16:00 | Mexico Room

ESP Action Areas

Introduction to the day

1. Action Area 1: Sustainably manage soils across all land uses

• Conclusions from Day 1, including stakeholder input

2. Action Area 2: Strengthen participation in soil protection

• Soil policies: EU Soil Monitoring Law developments and implications
• Subregional and national soil partnerships: reports and contributions

3. Action Area 3: Research for stakeholders

• European soil research landscape: overview, structure, key facts and role of stakeholders
• ITPS (European members): developments and challenges

4. Action Area 4: Make the difference – awareness and advocacy

• Summary of activities, needs and outlook (JRC, EU Soil Mission projects, ELSA)

5. Action Area 5: Assess, map and monitor soil health

• Soil monitoring and indicators at global, continental, national, regional and local levels
• Cooperation on harmonized soil analytics (EUROSOLAN, ESP study supporting the EU Soil Monitoring Law, and synergies with projects and networks)

6. Action Area 6: Foster technical cooperation

• Overview of activities
• Global Soil Partnership Plenary Assembly 2026 and ESP preparatory webinar

Meeting conclusions

• Responsibilities, roadmap and cooperation