A new scientific authority on issues of soils was launched at the first Plenary Assembly of the Global Soil Partnership at FAO headquarters on 11 and 12 of June, 2013. The ITPS (Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils) is composed of 27 top soil experts representing all the regions of the world. The main function of the ITPS is to provide scientific and technical advice and guidance on global soil issues to the Global Soil Partnership primarily and to specific requests submitted by global or regional institutions. The ITPS will advocate for addressing sustainable soil management in the different sustainable development agendas.
The first session of the ITPS will take place from 22-26 July 2013 at FAO HQ. The aim of this meeting is to bring together the 27 appointed experts in order to organize its modality of work by selecting a Chair and develop their work programme. Furthermore, they will organize the work that has been requested by the Plenary Assembly and is related to: soils and the sustainable development goals, GSP pillars of action, world soil charter, ITPS and links with existing technical and scientific advisory bodies, etc.
Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS)
First Meeting of the Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS)