The second edition of the World Living Soils Forum took place on October 8 and 9 at LUMA Arles, with a strong focus on accelerating efforts for the preservation and regeneration of soils. Established in 2022 by Moët Hennessy, the forum gathered a diverse group of stakeholders dedicated to soil regeneration, providing a platform for collaboration through conferences, round tables, meetings, and workshops.
This year’s forum saw enhanced participation from ChangeNOW, which contributed to an expanded focus on innovative solutions. A total of 21 start-ups showcased their impactful innovations aimed at addressing soil health and regeneration. In addition, the forum broadened its international reach with two satellite events held in California, USA, and the Ningxia region of China, furthering the global dialogue on soil preservation.
The programme for the World Living Soils Forum was co-created with an external Advisory Board comprising fifteen experts from various fields. These experts shared their insights on critical themes, including systemic challenges related to financing the transition, the role of public policies, and the importance of education in promoting soil health.
Key discussion topics included the measurement of soil health, nature-based solutions, and regenerative agricultural practices. Furthermore, the event explored the intersection of society, art, and culture in the context of soil regeneration, reflecting a holistic approach to addressing environmental challenges.
Over the course of approximately sixty sessions, nearly 190 speakers participated in the forum, sharing their expertise and knowledge with attendees. The breadth of topics covered provided a comprehensive view of the current landscape of soil preservation efforts and the innovative strategies being employed worldwide.
For those unable to attend in person, all content from the event was made available online for replay on the same day, ensuring that a wider audience could engage with the discussions and learn from the speakers. The complete list of sessions and speakers was made accessible on the official World Living Soils Forum website, allowing interested individuals to explore the topics that were discussed in greater detail.
The forum aimed not only to highlight the pressing need for soil preservation but also to foster collaboration among various stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers, farmers, and entrepreneurs. By bringing together diverse perspectives and innovative ideas, the World Living Soils Forum sought to inspire collective action and create a lasting impact in the field of soil regeneration.
As the event concluded, attendees left with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to advancing soil health initiatives, recognising the critical role that living soils play in the overall health of our ecosystems and communities. The World Living Soils Forum underscored the urgent need for collaborative efforts in safeguarding and revitalising our soils for future generations.
