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Global Soil Partnership
 

Background and objectives

Background

The renewed recognition of the central role of soil resources for assuring food security and the increased awareness that soils play a fundamental role in climate change adaptation and mitigation has triggered numerous projects, initiatives and actions that need an increased effort of coordination and partnership in order to avoid un-necessary duplication of efforts and waste of resources, especially in times of substantial budget restrictions.

©FAO/Walter AstradaOn the basis of the recommendation of FAO's High-Level External Committee (HLEC) on the Millennium Development Goals to the Director-General (13-14 October 2009) and the discussions and conclusions from the 22nd Committee on Agriculture (COAG) on the 16th-19th of June 2010, preparatory activities have been initiated by FAO in order to explore the possibility of establishing a global soil partnership according to the recommendations by the COAG (CL 140/3). During this exploratory phase, FAO’s comparative advantage in leading such an initiative has been clearly identified and has allowed to develop a vision statement, strategy and action plan towards the establishment of a Global Soil Partnership (GSP) for Food Security and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation.

Strategic objectives

Through enhanced and applied knowledge about soil resources as well as a harmonization process, the Global Soil Partnership will:

  • Create and promote awareness among all type of stakeholders that healthy soils and sustainable soil management are the precondition for human well-being;
  • Address critical soil issues that are globally and regionally relevant for sustaining the provisioning services through soils;
  • Guide soil knowledge and targeted research in accordance with national conditions and needs to address concrete challenges on the ground;  
  • Develop sustainable management strategies for different soils considering their potentials and limitations for different types of uses;
  • Promote access to soil information and advocate the need for new soil surveys and data collection;
  • Promote investment and technical cooperation in all related soil issues to address fundamental issues in different regions;
  • Promote institutional strengthening and capacity development of soil institutions at local, national, regional and interregional levels; and.
  • Promote necessary public and governmental awareness of soils through recognition of the World Soil Day (December 5th) and celebration of the International year of Soils. 
©FAO/Rodger Bosch

Vision

The mandate of the GSP is to improve governance of the limited soil resources of the planet in order to guarantee healthy and productive soils for a food secure world, as well as support other essential ecosystem services, in accordance with the sovereign right of each State over its natural resources. The GSP should become an interactive and responsive partnership.

Mission

The GSP will also develop awareness and contribute to the development of capacities, build on best available science, and facilitate/contribute to the exchange of knowledge and technologies among stakeholders for the sustainable management and use of soil resources.

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