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Launch of INSAS | International Network of Salt-Affected Soils

International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), Dubai, UAE, 21 Nov 2019 

On the occasion of the ICBA 20th anniversary celebrations, the Global Forum on Innovations for Marginal Environments (GFIME) was organized in view of the major impact of soil and water salinization and climate change on ecosystems, agricultural productivity, livelihoods and food security worldwide.

21/11/2019

At this purpose, with the presence of Eduardo Mansur, Director, Land and Water Division of FAO and Ismahane Elouafi, Director General of ICBA, the International Network of Salt-Affected Soils (INSAS) was launched.

The consumption side of circular economy is equally important. We need to change our consumption habits into healthier ones, through the promotion of nutritious food systems that also reduce our waste and footprint. For circular economy to be more attractive to consumers, we need cheaper options for healthy foods and habits. Incentives and economic measures are needed for the adoption of better practices” said in its opening speech Dr. Elouafi

To the question “Is it too late for circularity?” Mr. Mansur replied: “There are many opportunities for circular economy and these include promoting the reuse of water, energy and nutrients into agriculture, promoting business models that are environmentally friendly, taking a deeper look into the urban-rural interface, maximizing the sustainable management of our soil and water practices using sustainable soil management, and the recarbonization of our soils through soil organic carbon Centered management practices.”

INSAS has an important role in natural resource management as reported by H.E Mohammad Hossein Emadi, Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to FAO and Chair of the Committee on Agriculture of FAO). Zineb Bazza from the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) of FAO updated on the status of the Global Soil Salinity Map. Discussion followed the intervention of Hassan Kutaiba, representative of the Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS) on NENA and Iraq, Gulchekhra Khasankhanova, UZGIP Institute, on Eurasia with a focus on Uzbekistan and Macoumba Loum from the Ministère de l'Agriculture et de l'Equipement Rural of Senegal who talked about spatial modelling of the soil salinity variation in the country. Finally Mohamed Egueh, Ministry of Higher Education and Research, gave an overview on Africa and Djibouti. Mr. Mansur concluded: “we need to think globally but act locally, and we need to change our behaviours and take a closer look at the global impact that this can have”.

Agenda | Details of the event | PresentationsPhotogallery