Recognizing the importance of soils, the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS), in 2002, agreed on a resolution proposing that the 5th of December be celebrated as World Soil Day. This day celebrates the importance of soil as a critical component of the natural system and as a vital contributor to human wellbeing. Under the leadership of Thailand and within the framework of the Global Soil Partnership (GSP), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) has supported the formal establishment of a global awareness raising platform such as the World Soil Day. The FAO Conference in June 2013 unanimously endorsed World Soil Day and requested the 68th UN General Assembly to have it officially adopted. The 38th meeting of the FAO Conference, following consideration of proposals endorsed by the FAO Council at its 145th and 146th sessions to observe 5 December as World Soil Day and to declare 2015 as International Year of Soils with the objective of raising awareness of the importance of soils for food security, essential eco-system functions and sustainable development, adopted resolutions 4/2013 and 5/2013 endorsing the events.  

date: 5 December 2013   location: worldwide   www: http://www.fao.org/globalsoilpartnership/gsp-events/other-soil-events/detail/en/c/175648/