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GSP Highlights Second Plenary Assembly Outcomes
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Global Soil Partnership Launches Soil Day and Year Logos
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The Global Soil Partnership (GSP), during its Second Plenary Assembly, held from 22-24 July, endorsed the logo and themes for the World Soil Day (WSD) 2014 and 2015, as well as the logo and Plan of Action for the International Year of Soils (IYS) in 2015.
During the meeting, a video explaining the activities of the GSP Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS) was also launched.
28 July 2014: During its Second Plenary Assembly, which convened from 22-24 July, the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) endorsed the logo and themes for World Soil Day (WSD) 2014 and 2015, as well as the logo and Plan of Action for the International Year of Soils (IYS) in 2015. During the meeting, a video explaining the activities of the GSP Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS) was also launched.
The theme for WSD 2014 and 2015 will be ‘Soils, Foundation for Family Farming,’ and ‘Soils, a Solid Ground for Life,’ respectively. The Plenary Assembly members also decided that the Assembly will select the WSD themes, coordinate the implementation of key events, and that it should be kept regularly aware of future WSD plans.
On the IYS 2015, the GSP Plenary Assembly endorsed the logo, communication strategy and Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Year. The Plan of Action describes: the objectives of the IYS; Secretariat of the IYS and other arrangements; financial implications and resource mobilization; and the range of envisaged IYS activities by the GSP Secretariat and partners, including a World Soil Prize, participation in relevant conferences, regional workshops and the 3rd Global Soil Week 2015.
The GSP Plenary Assembly also launched ‘Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils — Boosting Sustainable Soil Management,’ an eight-minute video promoting the activities of the ITPS, including establishment, functions and areas of work. On the video, ITPS Chair, Luca Montanarella, describes the Panel as filling a gap in soil-related scientific issues with relevance for sustainable development. ITPS member Milkha Singh Aulakh explains that ITPS collaborates with other international scientific bodies by providing expertise on land degradation and restoration, and scientific input on the consequences of changes in soil function on the ecosystem. [GSP Announcement on the WSD] [GSP Announcement on the IYS] [GSP Announcement on the ITPS Video] [ITPS Video] [GSP Website] [IISD RS article on the Second GSP Plenary Assembly]