FAO Director-General QU Dongyu opened the assembly with remarks emphasizing the critical importance of sustainable soil management: “Soil is the foundation of our agricultural systems, the home of biodiversity, the ‘green water’ reservoir for our plants, and the start of our food!”. High-level speakers, including ministers and representatives from various countries, echoed the urgency of collaborative efforts to protect and manage the world's soils sustainably. Among them, the Honorable Reuben Phiri Mtolo, Minister for Agriculture, Republic of Zambia, who joined online. H.E. Mohammed Sadiki, Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, Morocco, contributed through a video message. Similarly, H.E. Maynor Estuardo Estrada Rosales, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food, Guatemala, and Mr. Artthakorn Sirilatthayakorn, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand, provided their insights via video messages. In person, H.E. Jeffrey Prescott, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the United States of America to FAO, along with Ms. Kristi Stinson, Director of the National Soil Policy Section, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry of Australia, delivered their remarks. Mr. Michael Niejahr, Acting Deputy Director-General of the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission, European Union, also provided opening remarks.

Throughout the three-day event, the GSP emphasized its ambitious goal to improve and maintain the health of at least 50 percent of the world's soils by 2030. Director-General QU Dongyu declared, “The Global Soil Partnership is committed to achieving the goal of improving and maintaining the health of 50% of the world's soils by 2030 – this is an ambitious and urgent target that demands political will, collaboration, and investment.” During the discussions, current crises such as climate change, water scarcity and biodiversity loss were addressed, with effective solutions proposed.

A key highlight was the Soil Partners' Day, dedicated to fostering collaboration and sharing experiences in sustainable soil management. The US Department of State presented its “Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) initiative”, which aims to create resilient food systems through climate-adapted crops grown on healthy soils. The Kingdom of Thailand showcased its success stories, within the framework of the proposal for a decade of soil health, with testimonies from farmers emphasizing the key role of local communities in sustainable soil management. Other notable participants included the Republic of Uzbekistan, the International “4 per 1000” Initiative, the International Centre for Reasearch in Agroforesty (ICRAF), the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), the Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP) Group, the Global Conservation Agriculture Network  (GCAN), Leitat Technological Center, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

A standout feature of the event was the "Deep-rooted Impact" exhibition in the FAO Atrium, inaugurated by FAO Director-General and Ms. Pathumwadee Imtour, Permanent Representative of Thailand to Rome Based Agencies. The exhibition showcased the effective soil health awareness and advocacy initiatives undertaken by the GSP since 2017 also featured a powerful symbolic installation: a small plot of soil adorned with seedlings, plants, and even food, representing the life and potential of healthy soils. Surrounding discs highlighted ten major threats identified by the FAO, including soil erosion, pollution, and biodiversity loss.

The assembly concluded on 5 June, with delegates committed to shaping a path forward for healthier and more resilient soils.

For more information: visit the Global Soil Partnership website

Related links:

• Global Soil Partnership Assembly discusses how to meet “ambitious and urgent” target
• FAO Director-General opens the photo and poster exhibition on sustainable soil management practices
• Item documents and presentations of the 12th Plenary Session
• Presentations and recordings of the Soil Partners’ Day
• Media outreach
• Photos of the atrium exhibit launch.