FAO marked World Soil Day in Rome, emphasizing how healthy soils underpin food security, climate resilience and urban wellbeing. The celebration also spotlighted two major international soil awards recognizing global leadership and advocacy in sustainable soil management.

FAO’s World Soil Day 2025 ceremony in Rome highlighted the growing importance of soil health as cities expand and agrifood systems face mounting pressures. Held under the theme “Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities,” the event underscored how urban and peri-urban soils influence food availability, water regulation, temperature control, carbon storage and biodiversity at a time when two-thirds of humanity is projected to live in cities by mid-century. Rapid urbanization, pollution and soil sealing were cited as key threats to these essential functions.

Opening the event, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu stressed that soil health remains central to the future sustainability of food systems and urban life. “It is a moment to reflect and to look ahead to a future in which healthy soils are the foundation of efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, healthier people, greener cities and a more prosperous planet,” he said. “The responsibility of each of us is clear: protect soils, restore soils and build cities that can thrive for future generations.”

Princess Basma Bint Ali, FAO Goodwill Ambassador, highlighted the often unseen richness of soils and the role they play in sustaining ecosystems and communities. Representatives from Thailand and the Russian Federation also joined the ceremony.

This year’s Glinka World Soil Prize was awarded to Professor Ganlin Zhang of the Chinese Academy of Sciences for his global contributions to sustainable soil management and soil information systems. The King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award went to the French Soil Science Society for its nationwide awareness campaign engaging schools, institutions and citizens.

World Soil Day, endorsed by the UN General Assembly, has evolved into a global platform promoting sustainable soil use. FAO’s initiatives including RECSOIL, the Soil Doctors Programme and the Green Cities Initiative continue to guide countries and municipalities in restoring soil functions. Related FAO flagship reports, such as SOLAW 2025 and SOFA 2025, underscore that safeguarding soils, land and water is crucial for resilient agrifood systems in a rapidly urbanizing world.