World Soil Day (WSD) is held annually on 5 December to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and advocate for the sustainable management of soil resources. An international day to celebrate soil was recommended by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) in 2002.

The FAO Conference unanimously endorsed World Soil Day in June 2013 and requested its official adoption at the 68th UN General Assembly. In December 2013, the UN General Assembly responded by designating 5 December 2014 as the first official World Soil Day.

Our planet’s survival depends on the precious link between soil and water. Over 95 percent of our food originates from these two fundamental resources. Soil water, vital for nutrient absorption by plants, binds our ecosystems together. This symbiotic relationship is the foundation of our agricultural systems. World Soil Day 2023 (WSD) and its campaign aim to raise awareness of the importance and relationship between soil and water in achieving sustainable and resilient agrifood systems.

On the occasion of World Soil Day on December 5, Tashkent hosted a scientific and practical workshop on “Innovative technologies for preventing soil degradation”.

The organizers are the FAO Representative Office in Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemical Research of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The event was attended by representatives of the Legislative Chamber and Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, relevant ministries and agencies, as well as scientists, researchers, national and foreign soil scientists who presented reports on sustainable management of soil and water resources, modern control methods with soil erosion and degradation, maintaining a neutral balance of land degradation.

FAO Assistant Representative in Uzbekistan Sherzod Umarov noted that with the financial support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), FAO is implementing large projects in Uzbekistan aimed at the rational use of soil and water resources and promoting sustainable agriculture. 

Sustainable management of soil and water resources improves the Earth’s ability to withstand extreme climate events such as droughts, floods, and sandstorms.

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UzA