The United Nations (UN’s) World Soil Day (WSD) is observed annually across the globe on 5th December to raise awareness about the vital role of healthy soil and to encourage the sustainable management of soil resources.
- 5 December 2025 marks the observance of the 12th WSD.
2025 Theme: “Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities”
Focus: The 2025 theme highlights the crucial role of soil in urban resilience and sustainability, challenging the perception that soil conservation is only a rural concern.
Exam Hints:
- What? World Soil Day (WSD) 2025
- When? 5 December 2025
- 2025 Theme: Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities
- Supported by: Kingdom of Thailand and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
- First Observed: 5 December 2014
- 2025 Awards:
- Glinka World Soil Prize 2025: Professor Ganlin Zhang, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
- King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award 2025: French Association for Soil Studies for nationwide soil awareness activities.
Background:
Proposal: In 2002, the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) proposed establishing an international day to celebrate soil.
Support: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), led by the Kingdom of Thailand within the Global Soil Partnership (GSP), supported the official establishment of WSD as a global awareness platform.
Approval: In June 2013, the FAO Conference unanimously approved WSD and recommended its official adoption by the 68th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Adoption: On 20 December 2013, the UNGA adopted resolution A/RES/68/232, designating 5 December as WSD and declaring 2015 as the International Year of Soils.
First Observance: The first WSD was observed on 5 December 2014.
Date Significance: World Soil Day is observed on 5 December to coincide with the official birthday of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, who formally endorsed the event.
2025 Event and Awards:
Event: On 5 December 2025, World Soil Day 2025 was celebrated at the FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy, highlighting the importance of healthy soil and promoting sustainable soil management.
King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award 2025:
Origin: King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award, launched in 2018, recognizes individuals or institutions that raise public awareness of soils through successful and impactful WSD celebrations.
Edition: The 8th edition of the King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award is presented in 2025.
Purpose: The award recognizes initiatives that demonstrate creativity, inclusiveness, and impact in raising awareness of soil health.
Recipient: The French Association for Soil Studies, or Association Française pour l’Étude du Sol (AFES) received the 2025 King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award for its exceptional leadership in coordinating the WSD 2024 campaign under the theme, “Caring for soils: measure, monitor, manage.
Significance: AFES was honored for organizing the “Soil Week in Normandy” from 29 November to 5 December 2024, a seven-day programme with over 20 major events, more than 100 speakers, and close to 30 volunteers.
Prize Details: The award comprises a medal, a USD 15,000 cheque, and a trip to Thailand to receive the prize.
Sponsor: The King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award 2025 is sponsored by the Kingdom of Thailand.
Glinka World Soil Prize 2025:
Origin: Glinka World Soil Prize, launched in 2016, recognizes individuals or organizations that raise awareness of soil issues, tackle soil degradation, and engage in field-oriented work to preserve soils and improve food security.
Eligibility: The prize is open to individuals or organizations whose leadership and activities contribute to sustainable soil management and soil resource protection.
Purpose: Named after Russian soil scientist Konstantin Glinka, the prize encourages stakeholders and soil practitioners to engage in field-oriented work benefiting food security, environmental preservation, and poverty alleviation.
Edition: The 10th edition of Glinka World Soil Prize is presented in 2025.
Recipient: The 2025 Glinka World Soil Prize was awarded to Professor Ganlin Zhang of the Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, for his outstanding contributions to sustainable soil management and soil preservation.
Prize Details: The award includes a USD 15,000 cheque, a gold-plated medal, and an invitation to the official ceremony on World Soil Day, 5 December 2025.
Sponsor: The Glinka World Soil Prize 2025 is sponsored by the Russian Federation.
About Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO):
Director General(DG) – QU Dongyu
Headquarters – Rome, Italy
Established – 1945
