6 July 2015
Third GSP Plenary Assembly Considers Global Soil Management Strategies
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The third session of the Plenary Assembly of the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) agreed to explore the development of voluntary guidelines for the sustainable management of soil resources, as part of a set of strategies aimed at establishing a coherent global strategy for soil protection.

The meeting convened in Rome, Italy, from 22- 24 June 2015, under the auspices of the 2015 International Year of Soils (IYS 2015).

gsp_yis1 July 2015: The third session of the Plenary Assembly of the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) agreed to explore the development of voluntary guidelines for the sustainable management of soil resources, as part of a set of strategies aimed at establishing a coherent global strategy for soil protection. The meeting convened in Rome, Italy, from 22- 24 June 2015, under the auspices of the 2015 International Year of Soils (IYS 2015).

Maria-Helena Semedo, Deputy Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), highlighted some successful GSP initiatives, such as the adoption of the World Soil Charter and the appointment of IYS Special Ambassadors by the FAO Conference. She noted that these efforts had contributed to strengthening the global soil agenda, ensuring it is “thoroughly grounded” in several proposed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Members also welcomed the development of the first ever ‘The Status of World Soil Resources Report’ (SWSR), which was coordinated by the GSP’s Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS) with the aim of providing a global, scientifically-based assessment of current and projected soil conditions.

The meeting discussed progress in implementing GSP plans of action at regional and national levels. Participants also noted the importance of providing financial and capacity-building support to enhance technical knowledge and skills for: assessing and monitoring soils; promoting sustainable soil management; and restoring degraded soils at the field level.

During discussions on IYS 2015 activities, Marcela Villarreal, Director of the FAO Office of Partnerships, Advocacy, and Capacity Development, emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum at the national level and called on GSP members to “join forces to ensure maximum impact of the IYS beyond 2015.” [GSP Press Release] [Natural Resources Policy & Practice Story on Official Documents for Third GSP Plenary Assembly] [Natural Resources Policy & Practice Story on Endorsement of Revised World Soil Charter] [Natural Resources Policy & Practice Story on Endorsement of Inaugural Global Soil Resources Report]


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