Soil biodiversity was promoted by FAO’s Global Soil Partnership as a key topic for sustainable development and ecosystem services.

During the Agriculture Day at the Rio Pavilion, soil biodiversity was discussed by presenting its importance and challenges ahead. A panel discussion with member countries concluded that soil functions in general and soil biodiversity specifically are key for  achieving sustainable development (http://enb.iisd.org/biodiv/cop14/riopavilion/25nov.html ).

Member countries endorsed the work on soil biodiversity as proposed by the FAO’S Global Soil Partnership and its Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (under Cooperation with other conventions, international organizations and initiatives https://www.cbd.int/doc/c/6d08/edd4/2d13e73b5b32ce7a1a7776c8/cop-14-l-21-en.pdf ). This includes:

• the organization of a global symposium on soil biodiversity in 2020;
• the preparation of a report on the state of knowledge on soil biodiversity covering current status, challenges and potentialities and to make it available for consideration by the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice at a meeting held prior to the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties;
• review the implementation of the International Initiative for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Soil Biodiversity, in consultation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations under the framework of the Global Soil Partnership as well as other interested partners, and present an updated draft plan of action for consideration by the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice at a meeting held prior to the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties;

The ITPS and the GSP Secretariat are working on the preparation of an action plan (involving various partners) to timely respond to these important decisions.