RIYADH, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched an action plan on Thursday aimed at tackling agricultural land degradation through sustainable soil management.
Unveiled on World Soil Day during the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, the report, titled "Regional Action Plan for Sustainable Soil Management in the Near East and North Africa Region," outlines strategies to address soil-related challenges, strengthen sustainable soil management capacities, and promote regional cooperation.
At the event, FAO Assistant Director-General AbdulHakim Elwaer emphasized the critical importance of land restoration in ensuring food security and combating climate change.
He pointed out that land degradation costs the Near East and North Africa region 9 billion U.S. dollars annually while diminishing soil productivity. Despite these challenges, Elwaer underscored the region's potential to serve as a model for sustainable soil management practices.
Li Lifeng, director of FAO's Land and Water Division, highlighted the significance of advanced soil monitoring systems and praised the soil restoration initiatives of several countries, including China. He noted China's substantial progress in soil monitoring, management, and legislation.
Globally, the FAO estimates that human activities have degraded 1.66 billion hectares of land, with more than 60 percent of this land being agricultural areas such as croplands and pastures.
World Soil Day is observed annually on Dec. 5 to highlight the importance of healthy soils and advocate sustainable management of soil resources.
