This document discusses the establishment of a Global Soil Partnership (GSP) to address increasing soil degradation and pressures on soil resources. It outlines the preparatory process for the GSP from March 2011 to April 2012, which included launching discussions with partners, holding an initial meeting in September 2011, establishing a technical working group to develop terms of reference, and revising the terms of reference through open comment periods and presentations to countries. The terms of reference were then presented to FAO's Committee on Agriculture in May 2012 for consideration and endorsement to officially establish the GSP and allow it to move forward as an effective process to prioritize and deliver actions to sustainably manage soil resources globally.