Global Soil Partnership (GSP)

FAO and a group of partners have launched the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) to improve global governance of the world’s soil resources in order to guarantee healthy, productive soils for a food secure world -- and to work together to  sustain other essential ecosystem services on which our livelihoods and societies depend.

Soils, the foundation of agricultural development and ecological sustainability, provide the basis for food, feed, fuel and fiber production, clean water availability, nutrient cycling, organic carbon stocks, one quarter of global biodiversity, and serve as a platform for construction and construction material. However, soil quality varies with site conditions and management practices.

Soils are often perceived  as a second-tier priority and no international governance body  to support coordinated global action on their management exists. A unified and authoritative voice for soil management is needed  to better coordinate efforts and pool limited resources. 

The vision: Improve governance of the limited soil resources of the planet in order to guarantee healthy and productive soils for a food secure world, as well as support other essential ecosystem services, in accordance with the sovereign right of each State over its natural resources. The GSP should become an interactive and responsive partnership.

The mission: Develop awareness and contribute to the development of capacities, build on best available science, and facilitate/contribute to the exchange of knowledge and technologies among stakeholders for the sustainable management and use of soil resources.

Maintaining healthy soils required for feeding the growing population of the world and meeting their needs for biomass (energy), fiber, fodder, and other products can only be ensured through a strong partnership. This is one of the key guiding principles for the establishment of the Global Soil Partnership.

Website: http://www.fao.org/globalsoilpartnership/en/

Report: State of the Art Report on Global and Regional Soil Information (14/12/2012)