The International CleanUp Conference 2024 was hosted by crcCARE and one of the top 27 soil experts from the Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS), Laureate Professor Ravi Naidu. It was one of the largest soil pollution conferences in the Asia-Pacific and one of the most influential globally. Known for uniting leading experts from industry, government, and academia, the event focused on practical solutions to environmental challenges. This year’s conference, held from 16 to 19 September in Adelaide, Australia, attracted 750 participants from 35 countries and featured 210 presentations on cutting edge topics ranging from innovative technologies and reduce methane emissions in livestock to effective communication strategies for engaging local communities on pollution issues.

In the Upper West region of Ghana, farmers face significant challenges due a very short rainy season and escalating fertilizer costs. With an average of 1.6 hectares per farmer, maximizing soil productivity is essential. To address these challenges, FAO and its Global Soil Partnership (GSP) are partnering with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Soil Research Institute (CSIR-SRI), Community Action for Development & Research (CADER), and the FAO’s Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) to implement a Recarbonization of Agricultural Soils (RECSOIL) pilot project. This initiative builds on ongoing efforts to empower women farmers in the region.

The 8^th meeting of the Asian Soil Laboratory Network (SEALNET), held from 15 to 19 July 2024 in Quezon City (the Philippines), brought together representatives from soil laboratories across 18 Asian countries. gathered in Quezon City (the Philippines). Hosted by the Bureau of Soil and Water Management (BSWM), the event marked a significant step forward for soil science in the region, with new targets established and a major inter-laboratory comparison exercise launched.

The International Soil and Water Forum 2024, taking place in Bangkok, Thailand, from December 9-11, 2024, will address the critical challenges of water scarcity and soil degradation. Co-organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Royal Thai Government, this landmark event will convene global leaders, experts, and stakeholders to develop actionable strategies for transforming agrifood systems.

As part of the transformation towards more sustainable agrifood systems, knowledge dissemination and practical training are essential to ensure effective management of soil resources. The Global Soil Doctors Programme, implemented by the FAO Global Soil Partnership, is an outstanding example of farmer-to-farmer education, providing scientific knowledge for improving soil management practices worldwide. Among its many training materials, video tutorials play a crucial role in enabling farmers and soil doctors to acquire the skills needed to assess and improve soil health.