Global soil partnership for food security and climate change adaptation and mitigation launch

In the basis of the recommendation of FAO's High-Level External Committee (HLEC) on the Millennium Development Goals to the Director-General (13-14 October 2009) and the discussions and conclusions from the 22nd Committee on Agriculture (COAG) on the 16th-19th of June 2010, preparatory activities have been initiated to develop a vision statement, strategy and action plan towards the establishment of a Global Soil Partnership (GSP) for Food Security and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation. As information on this new initiative of FAO is spreading to the numerous stakeholders in the world, expectations on this new partnership are growing. There is a clear perception by many institutions and stakeholders at global, national and local level that such a partnership is urgently needed.

The renewed recognition of the central role of soil resources for assuring food security and the increased awareness that soils play a fundamental role in climate change adaptation and mitigation has triggered numerous projects, initiatives and actions that need an increased effort of coordination and partnership in order to avoid un-necessary duplication of efforts and waste of resources, especially in times of substantial budget restrictions. The added value of the GSP in developing synergies and cost savings among the various existing networks and programs will assure that the partnership receives the necessary support and endorsement by all major players and stakeholders.

Activities will include:

- Soils and desertification, global challenges and perspectives.
- Biodiversity and Soils; Agenda for action in United Nations Decade for Biodiversity
- Coping with food insecurity and climate change simultaneously.
- Soil resources for Food Security in Africa: Globalsoilmap Project