Launch of the International Network on Soil Erosion
On 15 September 2025 in Rabat, Morocco, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and its Global Soil Partnership will officially launch the International Network on Soil Erosion (INSER), a milestone in the global fight against soil degradation.
Soil erosion is one of the most pressing global challenges threatening food security, water quality, and ecosystem stability. Recognized as a key soil threat in the 2015 Status of the World’s Soil Resources Report and the upcoming 2025 World’s Soil Resources Status Report, soil erosion accelerates land degradation and reduces agricultural productivity. Human activities such as deforestation, unsustainable land management, and also climate change further intensify this issue, leading to loss of productive soil and soil biodiversity thus increasing risks of desertification.
The launch event will present the network’s vision, mission, and goals, while inviting partners worldwide to join efforts in combating soil erosion and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 15.3 on land degradation neutrality.
The launch event aims to:
- Officially introduce the INSER initiative to the global community.
- Present its vision, mission and goals.
- Invite global partners and institutions to nominate members of INSER.
- Provide a platform for partners and stakeholders to engage and express their commitment.
Expected Outcomes
- INSER is officially launched.
- Stakeholders are informed about its vision, mission and goals.
- Initial expressions of interest for membership and technical contributions are gathered.
- Visibility and awareness of global soil erosion challenges and opportunities are increased.
👉 REGISTER TO THE LAUNCH EVENT
AGENDA
| OPENING | |
| 12:00 – 12:15 | Ms Ghaouti Lamiae, Director General, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Ministry of Agriculture of Morocco Mr. Lifeng Li, Director, FAO Land and Water Director (video message) |
| SETTING THE SCENE | |
| 12:15 – 12:30 | The International Network on Soil Erosion (INSER) Mr. Yuxin Tong, FAO GSP Secretariat, INSER coordinator |
| MAIN SOIL EROSION INITIATIVES AND POTENTIAL COOPERATION | |
| 12:30 – 13:20 | Mr. Duihu Ning, President World Association of Soil and Water Conservation (WASWAC) |
| Mr. Panos Panagos, Joint Research Centre (JRC), European Union | |
| Mr Rachid Mrabet, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) | |
| Ms. Lillian Øygarden, International Union of Soil Science (IUSS) (COMMISSION 3.2 – Soil and water conservation; 4.1 – Soils and the Environment) (TBC) | |
| Discussion (or Q&A) | |
| CLOSURE | |
| 13:20 – 13:30 | Ms. Thorunn WolframPetursdottir, FAO, Secretary of the Global Soil Partnership |
