Tuesday 21st March

Opening ceremony

Mr. José Graziano Da Silva, Director-General of FAO
H.E. Jioji Konousi Konrote, President of the Republic of Fiji
Ms. Monique Barbut, Executive Secretary UNCCD
Mr. Kamernu Vella, EU Commissioner for Environment (Video message)
Mr. Abdalah Mokssit, IPCC Secretary
Mr. Petteri Taalas, Secretary General WMO (Video message)

Timing: 10:00-11:30 GMT (+1)

Side event 1: Launch of the International Network of Black Soils

Black soils are soils of great importance as they contain a with very high organic carbon content. They are present in few countries of the world and are used for agricultural uses. Under the aegis of the Global Soil Partnership, the International Network of Black Soils will be established with the aim of providing a platform for countries with black soils to discuss common issues related to the conservation and sustainable management of these soils and the need to foster technical exchange and cooperation.

Venue: Iran room Timing: 13:00-14:10 GMT (+1)

1st Parallel session on theme 2

4 Presentations:

Global management of soil organic matter. Mr. Miguel Taboada, INTA, Argentina
Sustainable land management to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Ms. María José Sanz Sánchez, Basque Centre for Climate Change, Spain
Land management impact on soil organic carbon stocks – what do we really know? Mr. Axel Don, Thünen Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture, Germany
Enhancing SOC sequestration: myth or reality in Africa? Mr. Rolf Sommer, CIAT, Kenya

Venue: Red Room Timing: 16:20-17:30 GMT (+1). Theme discussion: 17:30-18:00