The United Nations (UN’s) World Soil Day (WSD) is observed annually across the globe on 5th December to raise awareness about the critical importance of healthy soil and promote the sustainable management of soil resources.
- 5th December 2024 marks the observance of the 11th WSD.
Theme:
The theme of WSD 2024 is “Caring for soils: measure, monitor, manage”.
- The theme highlights the significance of precise soil data and information in comprehending soil properties and aiding informed decisions on sustainable soil management to ensure food security.
Background:
i.In 2002, the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) suggested creating an international day to celebrate soil.
ii.Under the leadership of the Kingdom of Thailand and within the framework of the Global Soil Partnership (GSP), the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has supported the official establishment of WSD as a global platform for raising awareness
- In June 2013, the FAO Conference unanimously approved WSD and called for its official adoption at the 68th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
iii.On 20th December 2013, the UNGA adopted the resolution A/RES/68/232 and agreed to mark the 5th December of every year as the WSD and declared the year 2015 as the International Year of Soils.
- The first ever WSD was observed on 5th December 2014.
Why 5th December?
The date of 5th December for WSD was selected as it coincides with the official birthday of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the King of Thailand, who formally approved the event.
Event 2024:
i.In 2024, WSD marked its 10th anniversary, with the Kingdom of Thailand hosting the first celebration held outside the FAO headquarters.
ii.It coincides with the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which is taking place from 2 to 16 December 2024 in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
Awards and Prizes:
On the occasion of WSD 2024, FAO announced the winners of the King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award 2024 and the Glinka World Soil Prize 2024.
King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award 2024 :
i.The 6th GSP Plenary Assembly approved the creation of the annual King Bhumibol WSD Award (WSDA) to honour individuals or institutions that have worked to organize successful celebrations as part of the WSD campaign in the previous year.
ii.The 2024 King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award was presented by the FAO to the Water and Soil Department of the Ministry of Agriculture Jahad of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
iii.The award includes a medal, USD 15,000 cheque and a trip to Thailand to receive the prize.
iv.The award was sponsored by the Kingdom of Thailand.
Glinka World Soil Prize 2024:
i.The Glinka World Soil Prize seeks to maintain the momentum created by the International Year of Soils in 2015.
ii.The 2024 Glinka Prize was given to the Land Development Department (LDD), Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand.
iii.The award includes a cheque for USD 15,000 and a gold-plated Glinka medal.
iv.The award was sponsored by the Russian Federation.
Note: India has the second-largest arable land resources in the world. With 20 agri-climatic regions, all the 15 major climates in the world exist in India. The country also has 46 of the 60 soil types in the world.
About Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO):
Director General(DG) – QU Dongyu
Headquarters – Rome, Italy
Founded – 1945