The 2019 Global Symposium on Soil Erosion (GSER19) will addresses soil erosion prevention, control and contrast for increased food security and ecosystem services in view of the achievement of SDGs 13 (climate action), 2 (zero hunger), 3 (good health and well-being), 6 (clean water and sanitation) and 15 (life on land). It will focus on three themes: (1) use of data and assessment tools in soil erosion control; (2) policy in action to address soil erosion; and (3) the economics of soil erosion control and restoration of eroded land.

The Symposium will contribute to the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Soil Management (VGSSM) in terms of minimizing the risk of soil erosion and provide concrete examples of effective Sustainable Soil Management (SSM) practices, techniques and instruments. The meeting is expected to produce an outcome document highlighting the scientific evidence on the status of soil erosion and its impacts and outlining an agenda for action in the framework of achieving the SDGs.

The Symposium is co-organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), the Global Soil Partnership (GSP), the Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS), the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Science-Policy Interface (SPI) and the Joint FAO/International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture.