http://www.fao.org/globalsoilpartnership This presentation was made during the Plenary meeting of the Eurasian Soil Partnership (EASP) that took place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan from 10-11 September 2014. This presentation was made by Ronald Vargas & Ines Beernaerts, and it presents Status of Implimentation of the Global Soil Partnership. ©FAO: http://www.fao.org

1. Status of implementation of
the
Ronald Vargas and Ines Beernaerts
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Samarkand, Uzbekistan - 10 September 2014

2. CHALLENGES AHEADCHALLENGES AHEAD
+60%
Global food production and
also ecosystem services……..Population
growth
Further
Pressure on
for
Over 9 billion by 2050

3. GSP Endorsement,Vision and StructureGSP Endorsement,Vision and Structure
The Vision of the GSP is thethe improvement of theimprovement of the
global governance of the limited soil resources ofglobal governance of the limited soil resources of
the planetthe planet in order to guarantee healthy and
productive soils for a food secure world.
GSP was endorsed by FAO membersGSP was endorsed by FAO members
during 23th COAG session and 145during 23th COAG session and 145
FAO Council session.FAO Council session.
The mission: Develop capacities, build on best
available science and facilitate the exchange of
knowledge and technologies amongst stakeholders
for sustainable management of soil resources at all
levels.

4. Structure of the GSPStructure of the GSP
GLOBAL SOIL PARTNERSHIPGLOBAL SOIL PARTNERSHIP
Composed of
Guided/Advised by
Facilitated by
Through Regional SoilRegional Soil
PartnershipsPartnerships
PlenaryPlenary
AssemblyAssembly

5. GSP Pillars of ActionGSP Pillars of Action
1. Promote sustainable management of soil resources and improved global
governance for soil protection , conservation and sustainable productivity;
2. Encourage investment, technical cooperation, policy, education, awareness
and extension in soils;
3. Promote targeted soil research and development focusing on identified gaps,
priorities and synergies among economic/productive, environmental and social
dimensions;
4. Enhance the quality and availability of soil data
and information: collection, analysis, validation,
reporting, monitoring, integration with other
disciplines;
5. Harmonization of methods, measurements and
indicators for the sustainable management and
protection of soil resources.

6. Progress to dateProgress to date

7. SECOND ITPS SESSION (7-11 April 2014)SECOND ITPS SESSION (7-11 April 2014)
 Development of a Soils Brief (including proposed target and indicator) as
contribution to the “Sustainable Development Goals and the Post 2015 process”.
 Agreed ToC and process for the production of the first version of the new
“Report on Status of World Soil Resources (RWSR)”, to be issued in 2015;
 Endorsement of the draft version of the World Soil Chapter (adopted in 1981
by FAO Conference).
 Endorsement of the Pillars 1, 2, and 5 Plans of Action.

8. SECOND GSP PLENARY ASSEMBLYSECOND GSP PLENARY ASSEMBLY
 Approval of the Nomination procedure of Focal Points by Governments to the GSP
(Secretariat to send request to governments soon).
 Acknowledgment of the work of the Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (work
on soils and the SDGs, preparation of the Status of World Soil Resources Report, review
of the Plans of Action, etc).
 Endorsement of the Healthy Soils Facility (tool for mobilizing resources to support the
implementation of Implementation Plans).
 Endorsement of Plans of Action for Pillars 1, 2, 4 and 5. The Plenary urged for
development of Implementation Plans at regional level and further implementation of
actions.
 Endorsement of the updated World Soil Charter (submitted to COAG and if endorsed,
to FAO Council and Conference).
 Endorsement of the Guidelines for Regional Soil Partnerships.
 Endorsement of the Plan of Action for the International Year of Soils.
 Endorsement of the plans for the celebration of World Soil Day 2014 and 2015.

9. • The Plenary Assembly of GSP on 13 June
2013 requested establishment of a
financial facility under FAO's rules for
financial allocations to approved activities
and projects in a transparent manner;
• The GSP Secretariat took due action and
established in March 2014 the Healthy
Soil Trust Fund Facility and Multi-Partner
Platform;
• Budget : USD64 mil
• Period: 5 years

10. STATUS OF WORLD SOIL RESOURCESSTATUS OF WORLD SOIL RESOURCES
REPORTREPORT
• This will constitute the core product of the ITPS
and will be produced in a regular basis (every 3-
5 years) using the outputs to be generated by
the implementation of the Plans of Action (for
example SoilSTAT).
• First version to be prepared by ITPS and invited
soil scientists from all regions in the world.
• Regional chapters on the status of soil resources
in the regions will be an added value of this
report. RSP are invited to discuss on how to
produce this regional chapter.
• It will be launched on 5th
December 2015 as the
main product of IYS.

11. THE WORLD SOIL CHARTERTHE WORLD SOIL CHARTER
• The 21st
Session of the FAO
Conference (November 1981),
adopted the World Soil Charter
considering concerns that 20% of the
land’s productive capacity in
developing countries was going to be
affected if no actions were taken.
• The revised Charter establishes a set
of principles for the optimum use of
world’s soil resources, for the
improvement of their productivity,
and for their conservation for future
generations.

12. SOILS AND THE SDGsSOILS AND THE SDGs

13. WORLD SOIL DAY CELEBRATIONS
2014:2014: Soils, a foundation for family farmingSoils, a foundation for family farming
2015:2015: Soils, a solid ground for lifeSoils, a solid ground for life

14. International Year of Soils 2015
“Healthy soils for a healthy life”

15. Way forward of Plans of
Action
Organization of
International
workshops
Establishment
of global
Working
Groups
Preparation of
Draft Plans of
Action
Review and
endorsement
by ITPS
Endorsement
by Plenary
Assembly
Implementation of PoAs
through ‘ImplementationImplementation
Plans’Plans’ at Regional levels
This is our task today!

16. EuroAsian Soil Partnership
• Launched in November 2013 in Moscow, Russian Federation, as part of a
Eurasian Conference on Food Security, with issuance of the ‘Moscow
communique’.
• Various e-consultations about the issues related to soil management in the
region.
• Efforts mobilized for working towards the EASP Implementation Plan,
including Plenary meeting and Steering Committee meeting.
Moscow, Russia
19 November 2013

17. Our expectations
The main objectives of this plenary meeting are:
• To introduce the endorsed GSP Plans of Action for each of the five
pillars, discuss and agree on the regional priorities and identify the
expected changes to be supported by EASP;
• To agree on the process for finalizing the formulation of the
Implementation Plan and starting implementation ( including potential
funding).
The main objectives of the steering committee are:
• To formalize the partnership by nominating members of the Steering
Committee and their functions, agree on ToRs and establishing working
groups for GSP pillars;
• To agree on the expected outputs for each of the five pillars and start
discussing about specific activities (e.g. celebration of World Soil Day
and the International Year of Soils 2015).

18. For more information, please contact:
Ronald Vargas, FAO Headquarters
Ronald.Vargas@fao.org
Ines Beernaerts, FAO Sub-Regional Office for Central Asia
Ines.Beernaerts@fao.org