BACKGROUND
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) and the Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS), together with the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Global Soil Biodiversity Initiative (GSBI) and the Science-Policy Interface of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (SPI- UNCCD) are pleased to invite you to the Global Symposium on Soil Biodiversity (GSOBI) "Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity". The event will be a fully virtual science-policy meeting held on 19-22 April 2021. 

OBJECTIVES
GSOBI21 will bring together over three thousands international experts with the aim of reviewing the role of soil biodiversity in the context of food security, climate change and ecosystem restoration.  It will also collate scientific evidence that could be assessed in the framework of the Agenda 2030 (SDGs).

Check out the dedicated website and get involved on social media using the hashtag #SoilBiodiversity!

AGENDA
During the Symposium hundred and twenty oral presentations will be given and above fifty scientific posters displayed under three main themes:
THEME 1: State of knowledge on soil biodiversity;
THEME 2:  Soil biodiversity in action;
THEME 3:  Soil biodiversity shaping the future of food systems. 

SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION
On the first day, the plenary session of the Symposium will be interpreted into the six FAO languages, while the following days - organized through parallel sessions - will be held in English only. All sessions will be recorded and made available to participants together with the powerpoint presentations.