The Global Soil Partnership (GSP) was launched in September 2011 to raise awareness among decision makers on the vital role of soil resources for achieving food security, adapting to and mitigating climate change and guaranteeing the provision of other environmental services. The Terms of Reference of the GSP were approved in December 2012. The Partnership aims to improve governance of the planet's limited soil resources in order to guarantee healthy and productive soils for a food secure world, as well as support other essential ecosystem services. The five pillars of action of the GSP include the promotion of sustainable management of soil resources; the encouragement of investment, technical cooperation, policy, education awareness and extension in soils; the promotion of targeted soil research and development focused on identified gaps and priorities; the enhancement of the quantity and quality of soil data and information; and lastly, the harmonization of methods, measurements and indicators for sustainable soil management, with national validation accounting for the differences of production systems and ecosystems. At the core of the GSP is the establishment of Regional Soil Partnerships to contextualize the needs and priorities of soil actions to be implemented in each region. This workshop will launch the West and Central African consultation among national soil institutions and regional partners.  

dates: 4-6 February 2013   location: Accra, Ghana   www: http://www.fao.org/globalsoilpartnership/events/detail/en/c/167864/