The United Nations General Assembly at its 68th session in December 2013, designated 5 December as World Soil Day (WSD). Soil, like air and water, is fundamental for life on earth. Although there is an intrinsic association of food production with soils, they also provide us with clean water, fuel, building materials, fiber, habitat, medicines and nutrients. Taking note of the importance of soils for food security and nutrition, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and sustainable development, the theme for the World Soil Day celebration 2017 is “Caring for the planet starts from the ground”.

Soils constitute the hidden foundation of the landscapes and our societies. Caring for the planet and its environment means caring for its foundation, soils. During the event, the Global Soil Organic Carbon Map was launched. It is the first global soil organic carbon map ever produced by member countries through a participatory approach. The Glinka World Soil Prize was awarded to recognize the efforts for promoting sustainable soil management as per the Revised World Soil Charter Principles.

Soil is a very resilient resource, however if not managed sustainably it can be degraded and lose its potential for providing products and the ecosystem services to people.

Agenda | Webcast | Photogallery 

Presentations:

• The Global Soil Organic Carbon map V1.0 | Luca Montanarella
• The Global Symposium on Soil Pollution, 2 - 4 May 2018 at FAO HQ | Eduardo Mansur

When: Tuesday, 5 December 2017 (12:30 - 13:45)

Where Sheick Zayed Center, FAO HQ, Rome

12:30 - 12:40 Opening

Ms. Maria Helena Semedo, Deputy Director-General Coordinator Natural Resources, FAO

12:40 - 12:50 Keynote address

H.E. Sergei Levin, Vice-minister for Agriculture of the Russian Federation

12:50 - 12:55 Opening address

H.E. María Cristina Boldorini, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Argentina to FAO

12:55 - 13:00 Opening remarks

Mr. Giovanni De Santi, Director Sustainable Resources, European Commission Joint Research Centre

13:00 - 13:05 Award of the Glinka World Soil Prize

to “Asociación Argentina de Productores en Siembra Directa (AAPRESID)”” by Ms. Maria Helena Semedo, Deputy Director-General Coordinator Natural Resources, FAO

13:05 - 13:15 Keynote address

Mr. Pedro Vigneau, President of AAPRESID (the Laureate of the Glinka World Soil Prize)

13:15 - 13:30 Launch of the first-ever Global Soil Organic Carbon Map

Mr. Luca Montanarella, Chair of the Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils

13:30 - 13:40 Launch of the ITPS report “Global assessment of the impact of plant protection products on soil functions and soil ecosystems”

Ms. Lucrezia Caon, GSP Secretariat

13:40 - 13:45 Closure of the event

Refreshments will be served in the Flag hall after the event

Moderator Ms. Kimberly Sullivan, Office of Corporate Communication, FAO