The document discusses the global soil partnership's efforts to address soil degradation, which threatens food security and ecosystem services. It outlines five key pillars for action, including promoting sustainable soil management and enhancing soil data quality, as well as initiatives like the Healthy Soils Facility and the establishment of regional soil partnerships. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of soils in achieving sustainable development goals and calls for greater investment and awareness regarding soil resources.

1. The Global Soil
Partnership
Ronald Vargas and Feras Ziadat
FAO Land and Water Division

2. of our food comes
from soils

4. but our soils are in
danger…
today 2050
of our
global
soils are
degraded
We need to increase
production (quality and
quantity)
And soil is a non-renewable
resources within a human lifespan

5. sustainable soil management

6. A vacuum on soil Governance at global level
Soil Investment far too low
Soil Degradation, a continuous serious threat
Outdated Soil Information at global and regional levels
Weakening of national Soil Institutions
Poor Knowledge/Appreciation of soil functions for life
Gap on targeted soil Research
Overview of Soils by 2011 - Challenges

7. Response from FAO and its members
An Agenda
for Action

8. Partners
450 partners: FAO members and other partners
(universities, NGOs, etc)
Focal Points
Second GSP Plenary Assembly endorsed the nomination of focal points by FAO
Members.
Currently 125+ countries
nominated their focal points

9. GSP Pillars of Action
1. Promote sustainable management of soil resources and improved global governance for soil
protection 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.

10. Plans of Action
for the five
pillars
As per the Guidelines for
Plans of Action of the Rules
of Procedure.
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 through
Regional Implementation Plans
NENA Soil Conference

11. Regional Soil Partnerships

12. Key Important developments so far:
• Updated World Soil Charter (just endorsed by 150 FAO Council)
• Establishment of Regional Soil Partnerships
• Support to develop capacities on soils in the various regions
• Advocacy for inclusion of soils in the Sustainable Development Goals
• Preparation of the Status of World Soil Resources Report
• Establishment of the Healthy Soils Facility
• World Soil Day (5th December)and International Year of Soils 2015
• Important contribution of the ITPS and call for experts

13. Soils within the Sustainable Development Goals
Soils and land are key components for
the fight against poverty, food
insecurity and climate change, as they
are at the centre of the provision of key
ecosystem services such as renewable
energy, food, and water.

14. (2.4) By 2030 ensure sustainable food production
systems and implement resilient agricultural practices
that increase productivity and production, help
maintain ecosystems, strengthen capacity for
adaptation to climate change, extreme weather,
drought, flooding and other disasters, and,
progressively improve land and soil quality.
(15.3) by 2020, combat desertification, and restore
degraded land and soil, including land affected by
desertification, drought and floods, and strive to
achieve a land-degradation neutral world
Soils and land in the proposed SDGs
GSP Pillars to support SDG
Harmonization
of methods, measurements
and indicators

15. Beyond 2015

16. HEALTHY SOILS FACILITY
• A programmatic budget of USD 64 mil and 5 years of implementation period
(2014-2018);
• Current Resource partners:
European Commission ($1,3 million)
Thailand ($100,000),
Switzerland ($100,000)
International Fertilizers Association ($58,000)
• Potential future contribution under
discussions

17. This conference and the NENA Soil Partnership
• Increase awareness about the fundamental roles of soils for human life, food
security, climate change, essential ecosystem services, poverty alleviation and
sustainable development
• Consolidate the NENA Soil Partnership by establishing a steering committee and
thematic working groups as per the Regional Soil Partnerships guidelines
• Review and prioritize soil related challenges in the region and develop the NENA Soil
Partnership Implementation Plan
• Discuss the execution of the implementation and funding mechanisms, e.g. NENA
Regional GEF draft proposal on soil and climate change

18. THANK YOU