The overall aim of the Global Symposium on Salt-affected Soils (GSAS21) is to bring science, practice and policy together, review the status and challenges associated with the management of salt-affected soils and drive actions towards the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Soil Management. The symposium will provide the platform to share the existing knowledge and practical solutions for sustainable management of saline and sodic soils and to discuss the actions needed to upscale good practices and technologies. 
Specifically, the objectives of this symposium are to: 

1. Examine the current scientific, technical, traditional knowledge on salt-affected soils management, and their impact on food security and the environment; 
2. Identify options to generate, consolidate and harmonize data, taking into consideration diagnosis criteria, distribution, links to climate change as well as monitoring, and mapping techniques; 
3. Review, discuss and enhance existing national and international policies, strategies, and frameworks addressing the prevention, management and remediation of salt-affected soils, promoting international technical and scientific cooperation; 
4. Review and discuss existing assessment of impacts of salt-affected soils on agricultural production, food security, ecosystem services and human well-being in different agricultural production systems and fragile ecosystems;  
5. Identify and analyse innovative management practices and technologies for the prevention of secondary soil salinization and sodification and for management and remediation of salt-affected soils;  
6. Critically reflect on the economics of soil salinization, focusing on sustainable soil management practices that are cost-effective;  
7. Advocate for an agenda for action on salt-affected soils to prevent, adapt to, mitigate and monitor soil salinization and sodification processes. 

Expected output. The symposium Outcome Document “Halt soil salinization, boost soil productivity will highlight the importance of scientific evidence on the status and management of salt-affected soils, the best practical solutions, and an agenda for action within the SDGs framework. The document will also provide recommendations for developing sound environmental policies and programs to encourage the integrated use and management of salt-affected soils. 
NOTE: Please, note that there is no registration fee and participation in the symposium is free.