The Global Soil Partnership

Newsletter No. 20, 14 September 2018

ONLINE VERSION

           

                               

NEWS

International Symposium on Black Soils and 1st meeting of the INBS

Roadmap for action

The 1st International Symposium on Black Soils (ISBS18) and 1st meeting of the International Network of Black Soils (INBS), organized by  FAO-GSP and the Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, was held from 10 to 12 September 2018 in Harbin, China to take stock of the status of black soils in the different countries and to plan future steps to preserve our black treasure.  Black soils play a key role in global food production and in the fight against climate change, as highlighted by FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva in his opening video message to the SymposiumCaring for and preserving black soils through sustainable soil management practices and global cooperation is imperative for achieving Zero Hunger and climate change adaptation”. FAO Press release | Presentations | Photogallery

See the programme
 
Glinka World Soil Prize

Call for nomination OPEN until 30 September

Are you a Soil Champion?
The GSP is currently accepting submissions to the 3rd edition of the Glinka World Soil Prize (WSP). This annual award recognizes individuals or organizations committed to solving acute soil degradation problems. Winners will be awarded with a USD 15 000 check, the Glinka medal and gain recognition around the world. Download the nomination form 2018 and submit it through the closest GSP Partner or Country Focal Point by 30 September. Share the Glinka World Soil Prize factsheet!

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World Soil Day award

Call for application OPEN until 30 September

Did you organize an outstanding World Soil Day (WSD) 2017 event? YOU can win!
If your WSD 2017 event was fun, inspiring and interesting, send your application to win the 1st ever WSD award! Whether  you organized a marathon, cultural performance, contest or concert for WSD 2017, the #WorldSoilDay Award medal and a USD 15 000 check to be awarded in Bangkok, Thailand can be yours! Download and submit your Call for application to the GSP Secretariat. Share the World Soil Day award factsheet.

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Call for Experts on Soil Pollution

From assessment to remediation

Expression of interest by 1st October to Natalia Rodriguez Eugenio

Two working groups will develop feasible and regionally contextualized guidelines for measuring, mapping, monitoring and reporting on soil pollution and develop a database on the best available techniques for soil management and remediation of polluted soils. The call is open to anyone interested and may include government representatives, scientists, policy makers, members of existing initiatives & remediation companies.

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G20 Declaration and 21st WCSS

GSP helps soils standing high on the agenda

The G20 Declaration from the Meeting of Agriculture Ministers on 28 July 2018 spotted soils high on the agenda with a dedicated section on how healthy soils support the role of agriculture in sustainable human development. The successful GSP participation to the 21th World Congress on Soil Science (12 – 17 August 2018) in Rio de Janeiro with the slogan ‘Sustainable Soil Management for All' was also crucial to promote responsible and sustainable management of soils at global level. Check the 21st WCSS FAO-DG video message | Sustainable Soil Management & Soil Information Symposia |  FAO press release.

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South American Soil Partnership

Digital soil mapping trainings

Two digital soil mapping (DSM)  trainings took place in Santiago de Chile (28 May – 1 June, 2018) and Bogotá (3 – 7 July 2018). The main objective of these regional trainings was to develop and improve national capacities on soil data management and DSM. They focused on improving national soil organic carbon maps. The improved soil organic carbon maps will eventually replace the previous versions on the GSOCmap. Check the Resumen de resultados en Colombia and the Mapeo Digital de Suelos en Latinoamerica, Chile.

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Soil Erosion on the edge

Stop soil erosion, save our future

Soil erosion is one of the most diffused soil degradation problems around the world but it can be addressed with a relatively low initial investment, when compared to the multiple benefits gained after the intervention. Considering the global attention on this threatening issue, the VI GSP Plenary Assembly agreed to organize World Soil Day 2019 on this topic with the slogan ‘Stop soil erosion, save our future’. A Global Symposium on Soil Erosion is planned to take place next year at FAO HQ.

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EVENTS

Forthcoming Committee on Agriculture 

26th Session | 1 - 5 October 2018 | FAO HQ, Rome

Innovations for sustainable food and agriculture

The Committee on Agriculture (COAG) is approaching fast! COAG is one of FAO’s Governing Bodies providing overall policy and regulatory guidance on issues relating to agriculture, livestock, food safety, nutrition, rural development and natural resource management. The Global Soil Partnership was selected for its innovative and dynamic impact on shaping policy and science, and its capacity to advocate diverse stakeholders at different levels. GSP minivideos focusing on impacts and solutions will be played in the COAG26 Atrium exhibit together with a dedicated GSP presentation.

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Upcoming GSP meeting

October - November 2018 

ITPS

Discover the NEW Panelists  
10 - 12 October 2018
FAO HQ, Rome


The new Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS) will meet for its 9th working session on 10 - 12 October at FAO HQ.
The GSP Plenary Assembly in June 2018 endorsed the new panel of 27 experts who will serve as the third ITPS for the 2018-2021 term. Ambitious goals lie ahead of the top soil experts who will provide scientific and technical advice on global soil issues to the GSP and under different development agendas.
Draft Agenda soon available.

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INSII

Towards a Global Soil Information System

6 – 8 November 2018
FAO HQ, Rome


The 4th working session of the International Network of Soil Information Institutions (INSII) will meet on 6 - 8 November at FAO HQ and will focus on the progress of GloSIS development and implementation. The network will also discuss the forthcoming GSP global data products including Global Soil Salinity Map, Global Assessment of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration Potential, Global Soil Erosion Map, Global Assessment of Pollution. Registration open until 25 October 2018. Hurry up!

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GLOSOLAN

Labs performances & ring tests
28 – 30 November 2018  
FAO HQ, Rome 


The Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN) will meet for the second time on 28 – 30 November 2018 at FAO HQ to discuss its progress, the soil laboratory data and information policy, the execution of global and regional ring tests as well as the development of fitting “Standard Operational Procedures”. Laboratory performances are crucial to the harmonization of soil data sets towards the development of global standards. Registration open until 20 November 2018. Hurry up!

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Be the Solution to Soil Pollution!

Heading up to World Soil Day, 5 December 2018

Join the movement and be part of the solution to soil pollution. FAO and its Global Soil Partnership is calling on citizens, businesses and civil society groups to join the campaign by planning innovative and interesting events to celebrate soils. We are fine tuning the communication material. So stay tuned for the campaign launch in the following weeks #StopSoilPollution and #WorldSoilDay. Stand by for more and check the WSD website for latest updates on how to be the solution!

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PUBLICATIONS

Under the spotlight
Factsheet

The Global Soil Partnership policy factsheet provides quick facts, background information and main outcomes on the Partnership. The key achievements are presented giving an appealing visual of the work done to date. More communication material is under preparation. 

English
Outcome

The outcome document from the Symposium on Soil Pollution presents conclusions and recommendations to support sustainable soil management and land planning strategies to enhance the prevention, minimization and remediation of soil pollution.

English
Proceedings

The proceedings of the Symposium present the abstracts of all scientific presentations held during the Symposium. 100 oral and 50 poster presentations built the core of this event triggering discussions on the state-of-science of soil pollution in different soils of the world.

English
 
Global Soil Partnership

The Global Soil Partnership (GSP) was established in December 2012 by FAO member countries as a mechanism to promote sustainable soil management. One of the key objectives of the GSP is to improve soil governance, ensure healthy and productive soils  in all land uses across the globe. It works with partners ranging from land users, policy makers to general public.

CONTACT 
For more information visit: http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/en/ or contact us at: GSP-Secretariat@fao.org 


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© FAO 2018