Since its establishment, FAO's Global Soil Partnership has established a strong collaboration with IUSS, marked by mutual partnership and cooperation. The event attracted an impressive number of participants, with over 1 400 attendees, mainly from Europe (over 300 from Italy), followed by participants from China (150), USA, Germany, Spain, UK and Mexico and other countries. The plenary sessions were highly engaging, and the video message by FAO Director-General, Dr QU Dongyu, presented at the opening of the event, helped to set the scene.

The majority of keynote speakers referred to FAO's work, using FAO-developed materials, publications and visuals, and acknowledged FAO and its GSP as key players in promoting soil issues at the global level, from policy and scientific symposia to awareness-raising initiatives such as the International Year of Soils (IYS), World Soil Day (WSD), and the various soil awards.

GSP colleagues delivered ten presentations throughout the thematic sessions of the scientific program, which were well-attended and fostered active participant interaction. Topics covered included soil data harmonization, soil microbial analysis, soil biodiversity, youth advocacy in soil science, awareness raising and communication, and sustainable soil management. FAO also organized two dedicated lunch symposia:

• The Status of the World’s Soil Resources Report 2025

• Global Soil Mapping and Monitoring and the Global Soil Health Index (GSHI)

Colleagues were very active, participating in all plenary sessions and moving between parallel sessions, while maintaining the FAO booth as a means of providing information on FAO's work and projects. The booth became a dynamic hub of connections and dialogue, enabling us to engage with a wide range of participants.

We formed new connections, reinforced existing ones, and met potential partners, some of whom expressed interest in attending the GSP Plenary.

The Centennial Celebration of the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) in Florence was a resounding success, highlighting the vital role of soil science in addressing global challenges. FAO and its GSP played a significant role in the event, showcasing its ongoing commitment to soil health and sustainable soil management.

Moving forward, the GSP remains dedicated to fostering partnerships and enhancing its efforts in soil governance, data harmonization, and awareness-raising. The insights gained and connections made during this centennial celebration will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success and impact of the GSP's mission to promote healthy soils for a sustainable future.

During the event, a notable highlight was the awarding of the 2024 IUSS Distinguished Service Medal to the Honorable Penelope Wensley AC. In her acceptance speech, she highlighted the importance of ongoing soil advocacy, stating: "Taking my cue from the theme of this Centennial Congress, '100 Years of Soil Science: Past Achievements and Future Challenges,' I want to suggest to you that soil advocacy ranks high among those challenges" (Wensley, 2024).

She emphasized the need for a determined education and outreach effort to raise soil consciousness beyond the immediate soil stakeholders, extending to policymakers and the broader public. She further acknowledged the significant contributions of the FAO Global Soil Partnership, which was recognized with the same award in 2022, underscoring its pivotal role in promoting soil health globally: "I was also very pleased to see the 2022 award given to the Global Soil Partnership, in its 10th anniversary year, which has worked so hard and done so much to move the subject of soil up the global agenda" (Wensley, 2024).

These acknowledgments reflect the collective effort and ongoing commitment of the global soil community to address the pressing challenges of soil degradation and to secure a sustainable future for our planet.