The Global Soil Partnership dedicated WSD 2021 to the theme "Halt soil salinization, boost soil productivity". It was celebrated in 125 countries through 781 events (see WSD 2021 map and official celebrations). A massive amount of articles in major newspapers reached 1.15 billion users worldwide. The involvement of high-profile people and household names brought 130 million interactions on social media on 5 December. Read the 'World Soil Day 2021 Campaign report'

WSD 2021 communication material | Poster drawing contest | Booklet contest and  results | Newsroom | Flickr photogallery | Map

The Global Soil Partnership dedicated WSD 2020 to the theme "Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity". It was celebrated in 105 countries through 780 events (see WSD 2020 map and official celebrations). A massive amount of articles in major newspapers reached 820 million people. The involvement of high-profile people and household names brought 350 million interactions on social media on 5 December. Read the 'World Soil Day 2020 Campaign report'

WSD 2020 communication material | Booklet contest and results | Newsroom | Flickr photogallery | WSD2020 outreach video | Map

The Global Soil Partnership dedicated WSD 2019 to the theme "Stop soil erosion, Save our future". It was celebrated in more than 100 countries through 560 events (see WSD 2019 map and official celebrations). A massive amount of articles in major newspapers reached 650 million people. The involvement of high-profile people and household names brought 400 million interactions on social media. Check the post-campaign report: 'WSD 2019: Overview and key results', the NEW video, and the Flickr photogallery.

WSD 2019 communication material | My actions | Challenge | Newsroom | Map

The Global Soil Partnership dedicated WSD 2018 to the theme "Be the Solution to Soil Pollution". More people than ever took part in the celebrations, conveying the FAO message on the importance of soil quality for food security, healthy ecosystems and human well-being. Four official celebrations and over 300 events in 90 countries marked WSD 2018 (check it out on the WSD 2018 worldwide map). See the Photo Gallery and read the Report.

WSD 2018 communication material | My actions | Theme and key messages | FAO press release and Newsroom | Map

The Global Soil Partnership dedicated WSD 2017 to the theme "Caring for the soils starts from the ground". The Global Soil Organic Carbon map - GSOCmap was launched, and the UNEA3 Resolution on Managing Soil Pollution was adopted by 177 countries. The sixth World Soil Day 2017 photogallery  features fun photos of more than 200 events from almost 100 countries. Official celebrations were held in Rome, New York, Nairobi. FAO co-organized events in Santiago and Moscow.

WSD 2017 communication material | Activities | Key messages | Press release

FAO/GSP dedicated World Soil Day 2016 to the theme "Soils & Pulses: Symbiosis for life", in celebration of the synergy between the International Year of Soils (IYS) 2015 and the International Year of Pulses (IYP) 2016. The book “Soils & Pulses: Symbiosis for life”, presents decision-makers and practitioners with scientific facts and technical recommendations for managing the symbiosis between soils and pulses.  

The fifth World Soil Day 2016 Flickr photogallery features fun photos of worldwide events. 

Link to WSD 2016 communication material 

FAO was nominated to implement the International Year of Soil (IYS) 2015, within the framework of the Global Soil Partnership and in collaboration with FAO member countries. The theme for World Soil Day 2015 was "Healthy soils for a healthy life".

Special focus was placed on increasing awareness and understanding of the importance of soil for food security and essential ecosystem functions. Soils are a critical component of the natural system and a vital contributor to human wellbeing through its contribution to food, water and energy security and mitigation of biodiversity loss. It was celebrated by the global community of 60 000 soil scientists charged with the responsibility of generating and communicating soil knowledge for the common good of all.

Link to the IYS 2015 website | Link to WSD 2015 communication material

"The soils community could really contribute to the efforts of food security, hunger eradication, climate change adaptation, poverty reduction and sustainable development"

This is how FAO and the GSP secretariat started their words of welcome during the first official celebration of World Soil Day... Soil specialists, politicians, leading experts, and top officials from all across the globe convened at FAO headquarters to emphasize the importance of soils beyond the soil science community.

Link to WSD 2014 communication material

Recognizing the importance of soils, under the framework of the Global Soil Partnership and with the unanimous support of FAO members, the 37th FAO Conference endorsed 5th December as WSD and requested the UN General Assembly to provide its final endorsement. Since then the soils community has an important opportunity as soils are placed high in global discussions.

Link to WSD 2013 communication material | Link to WSD 2012 communication material