Session 1: Soil Preservation/Restoration, Healthy Food Production, Disease Management: Innovation andSocio‑Cultural Governance​

Regarding new knowledge and innovative approaches to soil preservation/restoration, the session focuses not only on soil used for agricultural purposes but also on urban soil, forests and desert areas. Specific topics could include: soil health indicators, soil monitoring, soil microbiota, soil-plant/plant-microbe/soil-microbe interactions, pollinating insects, plant pathogens, control of pests, invasive species, biocontrol approaches, biogeochemical nutrient cycles, smart agriculture, precision farming, erosion control, soil desertification, salt-affected lands, persistent pollutants, carbon storage and sequestration, watershed management, cover cropping, agroforestry, deforestation, modelling of soil processes, restoration of burned forests, restoration of mining areas and quarries, water retention, soil fertilization, phyto– and nanotechnology-remediation methods, fire management, geothermal energy, rare earth minerals, peat lands etc. ​

Additionally, this session explores the two-way relationship of soil health with society by examining the impact of soil degradation on local communities, agricultural practices that contribute to soil preservation/degradation, community awareness of soil health, examples of active involvement and engagement of communities, citizens and stakeholders in promoting soil-conserving land use practices and soil degradation prevention strategies, challenges in adopting new technologies/agricultural practices for soil preservation, legislation on soil management, existing regional and international soil governance frameworks, social outcomes of soil restoration etc. 

Regarding new knowledge and innovative approaches to producing sufficient, high-quality food, the session focuses not only on the primary sector responsible for food production (agriculture, livestock/poultry/fish farming and fishing), but also on processing, transport, and storage of food. Specific topics could include: conventional and organic farming, hydro- and aqua-ponics, vertical farming, robotics & automation in farming and livestock breeding, climate-resilient crops, forage plants, biostimulants, fertilizers, pesticides, genetic improvement of plants and animals, plant disease-resistance mechanisms, plant/animal pests and diseases, sanitary and disease prevention measures, nutrition of farmed organisms, biocontrol of pests, phenotypic/molecular/predictive breeding, medicinal/aromatic plants and natural food additives, alternative food sources, genetically modified organisms, seed banking, industrial crops, functional foods, food processing methods, novel food-preservation methods, food packaging, testing of plant-/marine-/myco-toxins & heavy metals, sensors and biosensors, food processing contaminants (acrylamide, PFAS etc), food additives, nutritional value, food labeling, standards in food industry, energy crops, food supply chains, food waste etc. ​

This session also examines the role of society in ensuring adequate, good-quality food for all. Sustainable food policies ensure access to food for the population and vulnerable population groups without discrimination by addressing insecurity and poverty, support local agriculture and sustainable food systems, and educate society so that citizens make better food choices and reduce food waste. The session also examines how social interaction and culture influence eating habits, ways in which the indicated nutritional value on food labels can be made understandable to the public, the pros and cons of using smart food packaging, food legislation and toxic substances levels, sanitary regulations for the transport and trade of animals and plants/seeds, consumer demands and preferences, the importance of strategic food security planning in agriculture and livestock farming for the local and wider community etc. 

The session focuses on new knowledge and innovative approaches to tackling infectious and non-infectious human diseases and zoonoses, preventing epidemics, improving public health, and supporting active and healthy aging. The session also highlights new genetic and non-genetic disease risk factors, tools assisting preventive medicine and decision-making, biomarkers for personalized treatment, new drugs, vaccines and medical technologies. Specific topics could include: drugs, drug formulation, pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenomics, vaccines, chemotherapeutic agents, immunotherapies, phage therapies, microbiome-modulating agents, biology/genetics/physiology & immunology topics, molecular medicine, genetic disorders, disease mechanisms, virology/parasitology/bacteriology topics, allergens, biomarkers, sensors, nutrient metabolism, nutritional supplements, physical activity & disease, toxicology, disease outbreak models, in silico models for drug discovery, innovative diagnostic tools/medical devices & therapeutic interventions, gene-editing therapies, gene carrying vectors etc. ​

Τhe session also examines the two-way, dynamic, and complex relationship between society and disease management. Economic status, cultural beliefs, social networks, and environment influence health outcomes, and disease patterns subsequently reshape societal behaviors, structures, and policies. Disease management relies on educating and sensitizing the population on disease prevention practices (hygiene, vaccination and self-care), facilitates equity in access of health care, evaluates health status continuously, implements programs that target individuals with specific diseases, ensures consistency in treatment across the targeted population, employs prevention and proactive interventions based on evidence-based guidelines, employs tracking/monitoring systems, entails multidisciplinary team of providers to assist individuals in managing their condition(s), measures outcomes, strengthens epidemiological surveillance systems, increases outbreak response capacity, etc.