In 2020, the Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN) asked its members to complete an online survey to gather information on the capacities and needs of soil laboratories worldwide. Two hundred and forty-one laboratories, operating in 142 different countries, answered this call for input that allowed GLOSOLAN to acquire regional and global data on areas for action.

On the occasion of the World Soil Day official celebrations "Halt soil salinization, Boost soil productivity" - to take place on 3 December 2021 from 12:30 to 13:30 CET, FAO's Global Soil Partnership at 14:00 CET will launch the International Network on Soil Biodiversity (NETSOB), as per the recommendations of the Outcome Document of the Global Symposium on Soil Biodiversity "Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity".

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Despite the clear importance of soil biodiversity in the provision of essential ecosystem services for life on earth and human well-being, its proper use and management is yet to be fully realised. Even though substantial progress has been made in ​expanding knowledge about the global distribution of soil biodiversity and its functions, only around one percent of soil organisms have so far been identified. Moreover, soil biodiversity loss remains one of the main global threats in many regions of the world. Nature-based solutions have proven to be the best and most sustainable mechanisms for achieving human well-being, addressing climate ​change, and protecting the environment. This potential has recently been recognised by the international community and there are many stakeholders interested in protecting, conserving and sustainably using soil biodiversity to address major environmental challenges. We must take advantage of this momentum and the interest and concern that exists on the topic of soil biodiversity loss to implement sound policies and spur on actions for the conservation, management, and sustainable use of soil biodiversity.

The Global Soil Partnership bids a fond farewell to Dr. Tengiz (Gizo) Urushadze, President of the Georgian Soil Science Society, and eminent soil expert who greatly contributed to the work of the Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils and the Global Soil Partnership.

The Global Soil Partnership (GSP) hosted an online training on digital soil mapping in the framework of “Development of the Soil Atlas of Asia and National Soil Information Systems” project from 15 to 19 November 2021. The project is funded by the Asian Food and Agriculture Cooperation Initiative (AFACI) and the Korean Rural Development Administration (RDA). 

Details of the event | Training programme/Agenda | Recordings (soon available) | Photogallery | GSOCseq map

04/11/2021 - As the UN Climate Change Conference – known as COP26 – runs in Glasgow, Scotland, the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) has called on countries to use fertilizers adequately to safeguard crops and agricultural practices that protect lives and livelihoods while contributing to combat climate change.

The GSP encourages the appliance of the International Code of Conduct for the Sustainable Use and Management of Fertilizers, which if followed, can empower nations to improve the sustainability and safety of agri-food systems, avoiding soil, water and air pollution.

When plants are harvested, nutrients are removed from the soil. These can be replaced by natural fertilizers such as manure or by synthetic fertilizers.