Status of the GSP Implementation
Ronald VargasIspra, 21 May 2014
Promotion of SSM
Definition of Sustainable Soil Management by ITPS:“Management practices that protect soil and enhance its performance for the production of goods and provision of ecosystem services without degrading or impairing on‐ or off‐site ecosystem functions.”
CONTRIBUTION TO THE GSP
• The European Commission has generously provided 1 Million Euro for the implementation of three components of the GSP implementation during 2014‐2015:
• Support to the ITPS• Development of detailed Implementation Plans at regional level
under the various Pillars of the GSP.• Capacity development on improved soil information in Africa
• This constitute the first official financial contribution to the GSP for which we are grateful and hope that other members will follow this example.
SECOND ITPS SESSION (7SECOND ITPS SESSION (7‐‐11 April 2014)11 April 2014)
Development of a Soils Brief as contribution to the “Sustainable Development Goals and the Post 2015 process”. Agreed ToC and process for the production of the first version of the new and seminal “Report on Status of World Soil Resources (RWSR)”, planned for issuance on 5th December 2015; Endorsement of the draft version of the World Soil Chapter (adopted in 1981 by FAO Conference). Endorsement of the Pillars 1, 2, and 5 Plans of Action.
Way forward of Plans of Action
As per the Guidelines for Plans of Action of the Rules of Procedure.
Organization of International workshops
Establishment of global Working Groups
Preparation of Draft Plans of
ActionReview and endorsement
by ITPS
Endorsement by Plenary Assembly
Implementation through Implementation Plans at
Regional levels
Pillar 4 Plan of Action: summary
Global Soil Information SystemGlobal Soil Information System
Global grids of soil functional properties
Global map of soil types
Global soil profile database
Global Soil Monitoring System: SoilSTAT
flexible design
gradual implementation
will fill the gap in the FAOSTAT family
Synthesis, forecasting, interpretation and capacity development
regular reports on “Status of World Soil Resources Report” starting in 2015.
supply of information to global reporting mechanisms
diverse information products available online
continuous capacity development programme
STATUS OF WORLD SOIL RESOURCES STATUS OF WORLD SOIL RESOURCES REPORTREPORT
• This will constitute the core product of the ITPS and will be produced in a regular basis (every 3‐5 years) using the outputs to be generated by the implementation of the Plans of Action (for example SoilSTAT).
• First version to be prepared by ITPS and invited recognized soil scientists from all regions in the world.
• Regional chapters on the status of soil resources in the regions will be an added value of this report. ESP will be the right venue to discuss on how to produce this regional chapter.
• It will be launched on 5th December 2015 as the main product of IYS.
STATUS OF WORLD SOIL RESOURCES STATUS OF WORLD SOIL RESOURCES REPORTREPORT
• Updated World Soil Charter was prepared by ITPS.
• Will be submitted to the upcoming GSP Plenary Assembly for consideration of partners.
• If endorsed, it will be then submitted to COAG, Council and hopefully to FAO Conference 2015.
SOILS AND THE SDGsSOILS AND THE SDGs
International Year of Soils 2015 “Healthy soils for a healthy life”
• Draft implementation plan including the visibility of the Year will be submitted to the GSP Plenary Assembly for their consideration and decision. A Steering Committee will be also established.
• Launch of IYS will be on 5th
December as part of the UNGA.
• The Plenary Assembly of GSP on 13 June 2013 requested establishment of a financial facility under FAO's rules for financial allocations to approved activities and projects in a transparent manner;
• The GSP Secretariat took due action and established in March 2014 the Healthy Soil Trust Fund Facility and Multi‐Partner Platform;
• The programme symbol provided to this Trust Funds is PGM/MUL/2014‐ 2017/GSP with programmatic budget of USD64 mil and 5 years of implementation period;
• This facility will be submitted to the Plenary Assembly. A presentation to FAO members will be made on 28th May at FAO.
REGIONAL SOIL PARTNERSHIPS
• Pacific Soil Partnership will be established in September 2014.• Also, the North American Soil Partnership is under planning.
REGIONAL SOIL PARTNERSHIPS
• The setting up of RSPs have started in 2011 along the process of establishment of the GSP.
• Regional activities in NENA, LAC and Asia were funded in order to start the development and establishment of RSPs. The aim was to start with regional activities that could pave the path to functional RSPs.
• That experience was very helpful as it showed that RSPs are viable, though every region is very different and a single model will not apply. However, guidelines for RSPs are much needed in order to guide regions on how the RSPs will work.
• At the next Plenary Assembly, Guidelines for RSPs will be submitted for consideration of GSP partners.
The establishment and implementation of the European Soil Partnership is of significance importance for the GSP Secretariat as that will serve as an example for consolidation and implementation of other partnerships.