EUROSOIL, organized by the European Confederation of Soil Science Societies (ECSSS), is one of Europe’s most prominent soil science gatherings. Held every four years, it brings together scientists, policymakers and industry experts to share cutting-edge research, foster collaboration, and promote innovative approaches to soil management.

This year’s edition attracted hundreds of participants from across the world, featuring plenary and parallel scientific sessions, workshops, and an exhibition space showcasing the latest products, services and initiatives in soil science.

Spotlight on the Status of the World’s Soil Resources

A major highlight of GSP’s engagement was the dedicated session on the “Status of the World’s Soils” held on Wednesday, 10 September. Opening the session, Thorunn Wolfram GSP Secretary welcomed participants and highlighted the need for integrated solutions to achieve sustainable soil management. She emphasized that challenges such as land and soil degradation, climate change, food insecurity, and biodiversity loss are deeply interconnected. Addressing them requires stronger efforts to translate science into practice, through robust soil governance and systems thinking that places soil at the center.

“Soils are the foundation of terrestrial life and a cornerstone of sustainable development,” stated Natalia Rodríguez Eugenio, who moderated the session. “Yet they face growing pressure from unsustainable practices, armed conflicts and pollution. Today, we aim to explore where we stand and discuss how science and policy can work hand in hand to protect this resource.”

Prof. Rosa Poch, outgoing Chair of the Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS), delivered a keynote presentation outlining key findings and knowledge gaps ahead of the forthcoming Status of the World’s Soil Resources report’s release.

A global conversation on soil knowledge and policy

Following the keynote, an interactive panel brought together six distinguished soil scientists and policymakers for a discussion on the question: “What do we know and what we don’t know about the state of soils?”

The panel featured Panos Panagos (European Commission’s Joint Research Centre), Xin Song (Chinese Academy of Sciences), Alex McBratney (University of Sydney & Aroura Think Tank), Aimé Jean Messiga (Agriculture and AgriFood Canada), Shin-ichiro Mishima (National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences, Japan) and Imene Dridi (Faculty of Sciences of Tunis). The discussions highlighted the need for harmonized soil data and consistent global monitoring systems to inform effective decision-making. Speakers also underscored the importance of aligning science and policy, reaffirming that healthy soils are essential for food security, environmental health and sustainable development.

GSP booth, a hub for engagement

Throughout the congress, the GSP booth served as a lively meeting point for participants. Strategically located within the exhibition area, it attracted scientists, policymakers and private sector representatives eager to learn more about GSP initiatives and opportunities for collaboration.

Over the course of the event, hundreds of visitors engaged in discussions at the booth on global soil governance, soil health monitoring, and sustainable management practices.