World Soil Day2026 · Date · History · Messages · Quotes
A/RES/68/232
About World Soil Day
World Soil Day is observed on 5 December to focus attention on the importance of healthy soils and sustainable soil management for food production, ecosystems and human well-being.
Soil is easy to overlook because much of its work happens below ground. The observance helps connect soil health with agriculture, water, biodiversity, nutrient cycling, landscapes and the long time required for soils to form.
Why World Soil Day matters
The day is a useful reminder that soil is a finite resource on human timescales and that erosion, contamination, sealing and unsustainable management can reduce the functions people and ecosystems depend on.
Local activities can be practical and educational: examining soil texture, composting, reducing erosion, improving ground cover or learning how farmers and land managers protect soil can make the topic tangible.
History of World Soil Day
The International Union of Soil Sciences proposed 5 December as World Soil Day in 2002. FAO later supported formal establishment of the observance through the Global Soil Partnership.
FAO’s Global Soil Partnership records World Soil Day celebration activity from 2012. In June 2013, the FAO Conference unanimously endorsed World Soil Day and requested formal adoption by the United Nations General Assembly.
On 20 December 2013, the General Assembly adopted A/RES/68/232 and designated 5 December 2014 as the first official World Soil Day.
FAO records that IUSS proposed 5 December in 2002; an FAO Council document explains that the date was chosen to honour King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand for his work promoting soil science, conservation and sustainable soil management.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
FAO / Global Soil Partnership pre-UN World Soil Day celebrations
FAO/GSP organized World Soil Day activities before formal UN designation; the FAO Conference endorsed the day in June 2013 and requested General Assembly adoption, leading to the first official UN World Soil Day on 5 December 2014.
International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS)
FAO records that IUSS adopted a resolution in 2002 proposing 5 December as World Soil Day.
United Nations General Assembly
UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/68/232
First documented observance
The UN General Assembly designated 5 December 2014 as the first official World Soil Day.
FAO through the Global Soil Partnership
FAO states that it facilitates implementation of World Soil Day as a global platform through the Global Soil Partnership.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
2 fields not established in reviewed sources
Predecessor and precursor observances
Earlier or merged observances are kept separate from former names and later institutional actions.
How to Observe World Soil Day
Examine soil in a garden, farm or school site and compare texture, organic matter and ground cover in different spots.
Start or improve a composting system where local conditions and waste rules make it appropriate.
Reduce bare soil by using suitable vegetation, mulch or other erosion-control practices.
Learn how local farmers, gardeners or land managers protect soil structure and fertility.
Avoid pouring oils, chemicals or other pollutants onto soil and follow local disposal guidance for hazardous materials.
World Soil Day Facts
World Soil Day is observed on 5 December.
The International Union of Soil Sciences proposed the date in 2002.
FAO supported formal establishment of the observance through the Global Soil Partnership.
The UN General Assembly designated 5 December 2014 as the first official World Soil Day.
FAO links the observance with food security, ecosystem functions and sustainable soil management.
FAO facilitates World Soil Day through the Global Soil Partnership.
World Soil Day Messages
May World Soil Day inspire curiosity about the living world and thoughtful action to protect it.
Celebrate World Soil Day by learning from credible conservation sources and choosing one practical way to reduce harm or support protection.
Wishing everyone marking World Soil Day a day of discovery, respect for nature and care that continues beyond today.
On World Soil Day, may appreciation for the natural world lead to informed stewardship and practical care for the places and species around us.
World Soil Day Quotes
“Soil is where food begins!”
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
FAO Council document CL 145/11 Rev.1 — IUSS proposal and 5 December rationale (opens in a new tab)
FAO Global Soil Partnership — World Soil Day background (opens in a new tab)
FAO — World Soil Day (opens in a new tab)
FAO — World Soil Day establishment background (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Digital Library — A/RES/68/232 (opens in a new tab)
FAO Global Soil Partnership — World Soil Day 2012 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — List of International Days and Weeks (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — Observances: who chooses them and how (opens in a new tab)
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is World Soil Day?
5 December The documented recurrence rule is: 5 December.
Does World Soil Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is World Soil Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: FAO / United Nations / international observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes World Soil Day?
The reviewed sources identify United Nations General Assembly as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS). Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as FAO through the Global Soil Partnership.
Is World Soil Day international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: FAO / United Nations / international observance. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-05.
When is World Soil Day?
It is observed every year on 5 December.
Who established World Soil Day?
The idea was promoted by the International Union of Soil Sciences and FAO; the UN General Assembly formally designated 5 December, with 5 December 2014 becoming the first official World Soil Day.
Why does soil need an awareness day?
Healthy soils support food production, water regulation, biodiversity and ecosystem functions, while soil degradation can take a long time to reverse.
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