Decolonising African Soil?

Late 2025, Africa took a significant step toward decolonising its soil for sustainable development, food security, and environmental protection as the Pan-African Parliament adopted the continent’s first Model Law on Sustainable Soil Management. The law provides all 55 African Union member states with a framework to safeguard soils and build climate resilience. Based on studies from 11 countries examining existing legislation and governance, it guides the development and strengthening of national policies and could also be adapted in other Global South regions. The keynote offers insights into the legal, political, and diplomatic challenges of developing and implementing this process, followed by a panel on Austria–Africa relations, focusing on strategy, partnerships, and investment
in areas such as agriculture, trade, migration, finance, and climate policy.

KEYNOTE
Oliver RUPPEL, Research Centre for Climate Protection Law (Clim:Law:Graz), University of Graz and professor at Stellenbosch University, South Africa

PANNEL DISCUSSION
facilitated by Miriam Mona MUKALAZI (VIDC) with: Harald EGERER (United Nations Environment Programme, tbc), Harald GINZKY (German Environment Agency), Oliver C. RUPPEL (Clim:Law:Graz)