Launch Workshop of the Global Soil Partnership in Western and
Central Africa: Towards an African Soil Partnership The Global
Soil Partnership (GSP) was launched in September 2011 to raise
awareness among decision makers on the vital role of soil
resources for achieving food security, adapting to and
mitigating climate change and guaranteeing the provision of
other environmental services. The Terms of Reference of the GSP
were approved in December 2012. The Partnership aims to improve
governance of the planet's limited soil resources in order to
guarantee healthy and productive soils for a food secure world,
as well as support other essential ecosystem services. The five
pillars of action of the GSP include the promotion of
sustainable management of soil resources; the encouragement of
investment, technical cooperation, policy, education awareness
and extension in soils; the promotion of targeted soil research
and development focused on identified gaps and priorities; the
enhancement of the quantity and qualit