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Global delegates craft action plan for black soil sustainability at INBS workshop

The 5th Workshop of the International Network of Black Soils (INBS) concluded successfully in Changchun, co-organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and its Global Soil Partnership, the Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and INBS. This significant event, held from 9 to 11 July 9 2024, brought together experts from across the globe to discuss the sustainable management of black soils.

18/07/2024

Launched in March 2017, the INBS provides a vital platform for countries with black soils to share knowledge, address common conservation challenges, and foster technical cooperation. The network aims to bridge research gaps and contribute to a comprehensive global status report on black soil management's challenges and opportunities.

Workshop highlights and objectives

The workshop's primary objectives were to review and discuss existing national and international policies, strategies, and frameworks to evaluate their effectiveness in managing black soils. Participants also focused on identifying innovative management practices and technologies, reporting on the progress of INBS initiatives, and developing a forward-looking activity work plan for the network. Crucially, the workshop aimed to advocate for a global agenda promoting the sustainable utilization of black soils, which is essential for global food security and climate change mitigation.

Delegates from 14 INBS member countries endorsed an ambitious action plan that includes organizing webinars, establishing educational courses, developing sustainable soil management guidelines, strengthening resource mobilization, and planning future workshops.

High-level participation and extensive coverage

The event featured an opening address by the FAO Director-General, six high-level speakers, and 12 keynote presentations. It continued with 18 presentations by Chinese experts and 16 by international participants, concluding with the INBS workshop. Over 200 participants attended in person, including delegates from the 14 INBS member countries, and 976 participants joined online.

The workshop's outcomes received extensive media coverage, highlighting the significance of international collaboration in sustainable black soil management. Reports were published in 12 major outlets, including Xinhua News, China News, Science and Technology Daily, Farmers' Daily, Jilin TV, Jilin Daily, and China Jilin Network.

Global agenda for black soil sustainability

The wide-reaching impact of the workshop underscores the importance of concerted efforts in managing black soils sustainably. The collaborative spirit and shared commitment displayed at the workshop pave the way for future initiatives aimed at ensuring the health and productivity of black soils worldwide, which are vital for food security and combating climate change.

INBS Workshop in media