6th European Soil Partnership (ESP) Plenary meeting 28-29 March 2019 FAO headquarters, Rome, Italy Ronald Vargas

1. The Global Soil
Partnership

2. Vision
The Global Soil Partnership (GSP) is a globally recognized
mechanism established in 2012. Our mission is to position
soils in the Global Agenda through collective action. Our key
objectives are to promote Sustainable Soil Management (SSM)
and improve soil governance to guarantee healthy and
productive soils, and support the provision of essential
ecosystem services towards food security and improved
nutrition, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and
sustainable development.

3. Achievements 2018-2019
• Implementation of the Soil Pollution Symposium and organization of the Soil
Erosion one.
• International Code of Conduct for the Sustainable Use and Management of
Fertilizers (FAO Conference).
• GSOCmap updating including 30 new countries and preparing a real validation
process. Interpretation of the map.
• GLOSOLAN (SEALNET and LATSOLAN); Launch in Africa, NENA and others……Global
Ring test.
• RSPs implementing actions (annual meetings).
• Preparation of SoiLex.
• Global assessment of soil pollution.
• Technical manual for SOC management. Guidelines for alternative/feasible
Measuring, Mapping, Reporting and Monitoring of SOC.
• ITPS consolidated.
• INBS implemented and workplan agreed.
• Celebration of World Soil Day 2018, Glinka World Soil Prize and King Bhumabol
World Soil Day Award.
• National Soil Information Systems completed: Afghanistan, Cambodia, Sudan

4. Global Symposia on Soil Threats
Soil Organic Carbon (2017)
Soil Pollution (2018)
Soil Erosion (15-17 May 2019);
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
RECOMMANDATIONS
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
RECOMMANDATIONS

5. • European Commission
• Russian Federation
• Germany
• Switzerland
• The Netherlands
• Phosagro
• We were successful in mobilizing resources for the period 2019-2020,
still need more resources to implement and support countries in their
efforts to implement SSM.
Mobilization of Resources

6. • Global Symposium on Soil Erosion (GSER19);
• World Soil Day 2019;
• Implementation of the VGSSM at the national level (Call for Projects);
• Implementation of recommendations from Global Symposia;
• Implementation of International Code of Conduct for the Sustainable
Use and Management of Fertilizers;
• Protocol for the assessment of Sustainable Soil Management;
• Promotion of National Soil Partnerships;
• Global Soil Doctors;
• GLOSIS and SoilSTAT;
• SoilLEX and database on soil research;
• GLOSOLAN and RESOLANs;
• Global Maps: soil salinity, soil erosion and SOC Sequestration Map;
• SSM for nutrition sensitive agriculture;
•
Workplan 2019-2020

7. • Keeping soils in the global agenda (many initiatives
and often duplication of efforts).
• Enabling country-driven processes.
• Ensuring updated and quality products and services.
• Enhancing the participation of chairs, working
groups, etc.
• Strengthening Regional Soil Partnerships.
• Raising awareness of soils.
• Promoting responsible investment in Sustainable Soil
Management.
• How to really move from tools, normative actions
into the ground to expand SSM practices.
Challenges

8. Thank you for your
attention