With more than 20 years of experience in natural resource management, sustainable land use planning, policy development, and multi-stakeholder cooperation, I have collaborated with colleagues across diverse landscapes to promote science-based solutions for sustainable land and soil management and to restore soils.

Soils support food production, sustain biodiversity, regulate climate, and ensure water quality, yet they remain one of the most undervalued resources. Today, land degradation, soil erosion, pollution, and unsustainable practices threaten soil health, putting global food security, ecosystem stability, and climate resilience at risk. While soils have gained greater recognition on the global agenda in recent years, it is not enough - urgent and collective action is still needed to reverse this trend.

The GSP, established in late 2012 following the endorsement of its Terms of Reference by FAO Members at the 145 FAO Council, serves as a beacon of hope for soils for two key reasons.

First, as a voluntary partnership, it unites governments, international and regional organizations, institutions, and stakeholders, fostering collaboration and coordinated action to safeguard soil resources. Today, more than 165 FAO Members have nominated a GSP focal point and 662 additional partners worldwide actively contribute to and advance GSP’s mission.

Secondly, the GSP Secretariat is hosted by FAO due to its global mandate, benefiting from FAO’s credibility, technical expertise, and policy influence. This ensures that soil health is fully integrated into sustainable development, climate resilience, and the transformation of agrifood systems worldwide.

This is also a particularly special time to join FAO, as this year marks the Organization’s 80th anniversary. Throughout its history, FAO has consistently prioritized soil health, recognizing its essential role in achieving better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. This strong foundation has enabled significant progress, providing a solid platform for the GSP to build upon.

Since its establishment, the GSP has played a pivotal role in advancing global soil governance, promoting sustainable soil management, and raising global awareness on soils. As clearly stated in our GSP Action Framework 2022-2030, this will continue to be our focus, ensuring that soils remain at the heart of global sustainability efforts.

As Secretary, I am committed to strengthening this partnership and amplifying the voice of soils worldwide. We must continue to be champions, advocating for sustainable soil management at all levels, from local communities to global decision-makers.

I look forward to collaborating with all of you.

Thorunn Wolfram Petursdottir PhD

Global Soil Partnership Secretary