FAO urges collective action to boost soil health in NENA region on world soil day
Launch of the Regional Action Plan for Sustainable Soil Management

A close-up of fertile soil that has been prepared for planting chick peas.
©FAO/Florita Botts
Cairo/Riyadh - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched the Regional Action Plan for Sustainable Soil Management (SSM) in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region today. This comprehensive roadmap addresses the pressing soil challenges that threaten agricultural productivity, food security, and environmental resilience.
Around 33 percent of the world's soil is moderately to highly degraded, resulting in significant losses in crop yields, carbon storage, and essential environmental services. In the NENA region, these challenges are compounded by salinity, erosion, and climate impacts.
"The Near East and North Africa region has many good sustainable soil management practices that could be replicated in other countries facing similar issues," highlighted Abdulhakim Elwaer, FAO Assistant Director General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa.
"Today, in celebration of World Soil Day, we mark a significant milestone with the launch of the Regional Action Plan for Sustainable Soil Management in the NENA region. This initiative represents a monumental stride towards addressing these critical issues and securing a sustainable future for our soil, environment, and the millions of livelihoods they sustain,” Elwaer added.
The regional plan addresses key soil challenges such as salinity, organic carbon loss, and soil degradation through updated mapping and analysis. It aims to scale up sustainable soil management by enhancing soil information, policy tools, and legislation across the NENA region, involving 11 countries: Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen.
The RAP outlines strategic priorities for SSM, including developing national and regional soil information systems integrated with GloSIS, implementing predictive models for soil salinity management, identifying areas with SOC sequestration potential, and harmonizing practices within regional and global networks. The plan emphasizes collaborative efforts among governments, research institutions, and local stakeholders to achieve sustainable development and improve livelihoods.
FAO aims to strengthen national capacities by providing training, capacity-building, and legislative support for effective sustainable soil management. Additionally, the plan promotes regional collaboration through interregional coordination, knowledge sharing, and joint project implementation. The historic Muscat Communiqué, endorsed by 11countries, underscores the critical importance of soil health and sustainable practices.
Addressing the soil health crisis in the region
The agricultural sector employs 21 percent of the population and contributes 10 percent to GDP in the NENA region. However, degraded soil covering 37.2 percent of the region leads to significant economic losses and exacerbates food insecurity. Land degradation costs the region USD 9 billion annually, reducing soil productivity byone-third. Salt-affected soils now cover 11 percent of the region’s total land area, while poor irrigation practices, unsustainable agricultural methods, and urban expansion further degrade this precious resource.
The region faces an escalating soil health crisis, with unsustainable agricultural practices, water mismanagement, overgrazing, and urban expansion as the main culprits. Pollution from extensive agrochemical use, with over 43 000 tonnes of pesticides applied in 2018 alone, further degrades soil fertility and water quality. Urban encroachment on fertile lands threatens agricultural productivity and food security, while climate vulnerabilities, including sand and dust storms, lead to GDP losses of USD 13 billion annually.
NENA commitment to sustainable soil management
FAO highlights in the plan the urgency of addressing soil degradation through innovative, collaborative, and region-specific approaches. A commitment to SSM will protect vital natural resources, enhance food security and climate resilience, and support sustainable socio-economic development. The Regional Action Plan identifies that optimized practices could sequester up to 18.765 million tonnes of carbon annually, underscoring the pivotal role of soils in climate mitigation.
FAO calls on all stakeholders, including governments, research institutions, and local communities, to commit to the sustainable management of soil resources. "By working together, we can protect vital natural resources, enhance food security, and support sustainable socio-economic development in the NENA region," Elwaer declared. "Without urgent action, the challenges will only grow. But with the strategies outlined in the Regional Action Plan, we can ensure that the soils of the NENA region are protected, restored, and managed sustainably—for today and for generations to come," he added.
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