Implementation of the World Soil Day and its celebration in 2014

and 2015

Ronald Vargas, GSP Secretary 24 July 2014 Red Room

Secretariat of the WSD

As requested in the UNGA Resolution, FAO is invited in the framework of the Global Soil Partnership to facilitate the implementation of WSD.

The GSP Secretariat will serve as the WSD Secretariat, while assistance will also be sought from other divisions (OCC, communications).

Institutionalizing the WSD celebration

Similar days (World Water Day, World Food Day, etc) have an institutional procedure to plan its celebration every year.

The idea is that as the UNGA resolution request FAO to facilitate this year under the GSP framework, this Plenary Assembly constitutes the body to plan the general aspects of its celebration every year.

The idea is not to prevent/supervise national or local celebration activities, but to agree on a common theme in order to have stronger impact.

Encouragement to local celebrations will be provided while at the same time, efforts for diffusion and press cover will be explored.

Proposal for WSD 2014-2015

2014: “Soils, foundation for farming families”

2015: “Soils: a solid ground for life and development”

-Satellite events in: FAO (Rome), Bangkok, Santiago and Accra.

- Official venue for launching publications, products, etc.

- Website covering most of the national events and prepare a

summary report.

WSD Visibility