The official closure of the 2015 International Year of Soils (IYS) will take place at FAO Headquarters on 4 December from 12:30 to 14:00 pm (CET).

The ceremony will also mark this year's celebration of World Soil Day and the launch of the much-awaited Status of the World Soil Resources Report (SWSR). Similar events will take place in the FAO Regional Offices. In addition to official remarks given by FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva,  representatives from member states, UN agencies, IYS stakeholders and  the IYS special ambassadors, Prof. Claire Chenu and Prof. Tekalign Mamo, will speak about the legacy of the year and the way forward post-2015. Mr. Sompong Nimchuar, the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom Thailand to FAO and Chair of IYS Steering Committee, will give a presentation on the outcomes of the year. This will be followed by a second presentation by Mr. Moujahed Achouri, Director of FAO's Land and Water Division, about soils beyond 2015 and turning the IYS legacy into concrete action.

The closing ceremony will be webcast live on the IYS homepage and a video of the event will be posted shortly thereafter.