Due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19, the Eurosoil 2021 organisers have decided to transform the physical 2021 congress into a virtual congress from 23 -27 August 2021. As the conference of the European Confederation of Soil Science Societies (ECSSS), Eurosoil is the soil voice of Europe. Eurosoil 2021 aims to tackle e.g. the environmental, social, economical, and public policy goals related to / impacting soil use and services. 

In line with the theme “Connecting People and Soil”, the Eurosoil 2021 Programme will be structured around, but not limited to, selected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. Therefore, apart from soil scientists, contributions have been accepted from stakeholders as well as individuals in related scientific fields (medicine, economy, social sciences, and others).

The FAO's Global Soil Partnership (GSP) will take part into Eurosoil 2021 by organizing the workshop "Global soil governance: Status and future perspectives" on 25 August 2021 from 11:30 to 13:00 CEST in a virtual format on the Zoom platform. This event will be open to everyone. 

Synopsis

While the Covid-19 crisis has reshuffled priorities, there is more than ever a need to ensure soil stays high on the political agenda. 

Ten years ago soils were not on the global agenda as they were usually taken for granted. After a long work of advocacy and awareness raising realized from different initiatives and platforms (Global Soil Partnership, Joint Research Soil Atlases, Global Soil Biodiversity Initiative, Global Soil Week, etc.) soils are higher in the decision-making process.

There have been efforts to establish a binding mechanism on soils to ensure commitment towards sustainable soil management. The three UN Conventions address soil indirectly due their crosscutting nature. The Global Soil Partnership is a hybrid mechanism (voluntary but under the FAO governance and membership) working with countries and other stakeholders to promote sustainable soil management. Lately, the European Union has launched the EU Green Deal and established the EU Soil Observatory. The EU Parliament suggested EU members to consider establishing a UN Soil Convention. 

Ensuring soil governance is essential because it shapes the way soils are managed at global scale. Ultimately, substantial and effective changes needed in agri-food systems would require the development of a comprehensive performance-based system along with a set of coherent and well-coordinated environmental policies directly addressing soil-related issues.

Draft agenda