Every year on 5 December, World Soil Day (WSD), the expert community conducts a kind of audit of soil health and holds forums to raise awareness about the importance of soil cover for sustainable agrifood systems, climate change mitigation, biodiversity, and human well-being.

Celebration highlights the importance of healthy soils for food security, climate resilience and public wellbeing, as FAO awards two major international soil prizes

The Glinka World Soil Prize – one of the most prestigious global recognitions in soil science – honours individuals and institutions whose work has had a transformative impact on the protection and sustainable management of soils. Awarded annually on World Soil Day (5 December), the prize comes in the form of a USD 15 000 cheque and a gold-plated medal. It aims to raise awareness among policymakers and the public about possible solutions to tackle national and local problems of soil degradation. It also seeks to encourage all stakeholders and soil practitioners to engage in field-oriented work.

The French Soil Science Society (AFES) has been awarded the 2025 King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award in recognition of its exceptional leadership in coordinating the World Soil Day (WSD) 2024 campaign, under the theme, “Caring for soils: measure, monitor, manage.” This prestigious award honours initiatives that demonstrate creativity, inclusiveness and impact in raising awareness of soil health.

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – 28 - 29 October 2025

The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry (MoFALI) of Mongolia and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with funding from Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) of the People's Republic of China, officially launched the project “Capacity Development on Sustainable Soil Management in the Global South.” The initiative aims to strengthen Mongolia’s technical capacity in sustainable soil management and contribute to global efforts to protect and restore agricultural lands and soils.