On 4 December 2019, the Permanent Missions of the Kingdom of Thailand, Ecuador, Nigeria, and the Russian Federation to the United Nations, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), jointly organised the 2019 World Soil Day (5 December every year) at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, under the theme “Stop soil erosion, save our future”.

The event was held for the sixth consecutive year to underscore the vital importance of soil and advocate the global efforts on sustainable soil management, conservation, preservation and restoration.It also paid tribute to His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand for his life-long dedication to promote soil sciences and resources, whose work has been widely recognised by the international community. In 2013, the 68^th United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 5 December, the Birthday of His Majesty, as World Soil Day.

H.E. Mr. Vitavas Srivihok, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Thailand to the United Nations, delivered opening remarks to underline the call for actions by all stakeholders on the issue, which will contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  As 5 December is also the International Volunteer Day, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative also highlighted the importance of volunteerism as a powerful force to implement the SDGs and address challenges including soil erosion. 

The substantive panel discussion comprised representatives from various stakeholders, including a representative from the farmer community in Thailand, an expert from UNCCD, an academic professor representing the International Technical Panel on Soils, and youth representatives from the States of California and Vermont.  The panel delved into the issue of soil erosion and the solutions which include integrated management of soil and water, which will also contribute to food security, mitigating pollution, combatting environmental degradation and enhancing climate change.  Addressing this challenge requires actions by all stakeholders.  

Mr. Pirom Kaewwichian, the farmer and Volunteer Soil Doctor from Thailand shared the way he learnt of the solutions to improve soil quality and prevent soil erosion through the use of jack bean as a cover crop, addition of dolomite to the topsoil to raise the soil pH level, and the use of vetiver grass root system to break soil compaction and maintain soil moisture content.  He also learnt the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and the wisdom of His Majesty the Late King’s and adapted them to the management of his resources.  He has set up a learning centre and disseminated the knowledge to other farmers in the community. Because soil is the source of life, person who take care of soil health is then called “soil doctor”. Good doctors always have the sense of volunteerism and care for others.He also strongly believed that the sharing of knowledge and expertise is the basis for sustainable development. 

The event was also attended by a large number of multi-stakeholder representatives from the UN Member States, international organisations, the private sector, academia, and civil society.