Nanjing hosts the Global Symposium on Soil Information and Data
First FAO soil symposium outside headquarters attracts over 2 000 participants worldwide
Nanjing, China – The first-ever Global Symposium on Soil Information and Data hosted outside of the FAO headquarters took place from 25 to 28 October 2024 in Nanjing, China. This event was made possible through the generous financial commitment and dedicated efforts of the Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ISSCAS), who co-organized the symposium with FAO. Their significant contribution and support were instrumental in bringing together over 300 on-site participants and more than 2 000 virtual attendees from 176 countries, including leading soil experts, policymakers, and stakeholders—all united in advancing the global soil agenda.
Participants leveraged their expertise to share experiences and foster new partnerships. The event was marked by key presentations and discussions that spanned topics related to soil data and information, crucial to the future of our soils, agrifood systems, and climate resilience.
Distinguished guests and high-level speakers
The symposium kicked off with four prominent opening remarks from distinguished guests, followed by 27 keynote presentations from leading scientists who delivered insights into soil data and its critical role in ensuring food security, water availability, biodiversity, and climate adaptation. In the opening ceremony, Jiabao Zhang, President of the Soil Science Society of China remarked, “Soil information and data are not only numbers and figures, they are the lifeblood of our ecosystem and the foundation of our agrifood system. I hope this symposium will bring new ideas and create strong partnerships”.
Digging deep into soil data
An impressive 188 abstracts were presented across six parallel sessions [AGENDA], covering essential areas like soil data harmonization, soil mapping and monitoring, soil data-driven decision-making and open data. These sessions also emphasized the need for open data access to inform policies and drive sustainable development in soil management. Over the course of 69 hours of technical sessions and open discussions, experts agreed that soil data are far more than numbers — it's the bedrock of our agrifood systems and global environmental health.
Field visits highlight cutting-edge research
The symposium was more than just discussions—participants had the unique opportunity to take part in a one-day field visit to advanced research platforms and sustainable farming sites in the region. This firsthand experience showcased the latest innovations in soil management and the role of data in optimizing sustainable practices on the ground.
Global media coverage and outreach
The event attracted significant media attention, with coverage from major outlets such as China Jiangsu TV, China Central Television (CCTV), and Lizhi News, further amplifying the importance of soil data to a broader audience. A dedicated CCTV interview with Director Lifeng Li, Land and Water Division of FAO, helped highlight key moments of the event, while live tweeting and other online engagements kept the global audience informed.
Looking ahead
While the symposium itself has concluded, the momentum continues. The event's outcome document, which encapsulates the key takeaways, will soon be released. Participants left with a renewed commitment toadvancing soil information systems and ensuring that soil health remains at the heart of sustainable development.
FAO, ISSCAS, the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) and the Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS) remain fully committed to supporting these global efforts with the technical expertise and tools needed to promote healthy soils for a healthier planet.
Co-organized by FAO and ISSCAS with technical support from GSP ITPS.
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