On 2 December 2016, the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Thailand to the United Nations and the Land Development Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand, in collaboration with the Permanent Missions of Lesotho and Turkey to the United Nations, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), will jointly organise the 2016 World Soil Day event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

     The event aims to raise awareness on the importance of soil and promote sustainable soil management, as well as to support the implementation of the 2016 International Year of Pulses. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has graciously conferred a video message on the occasion of the World Soil Day celebration this year. The event is expected to be broadly participated by soil specialists and representatives from governments, academia, agricultural sector, and civil society to discuss the importance of soil and pulses and exchange knowledge and experiences under the theme “Soil and pulses, a symbiosis for life and for halting soil degradation”.

     This year’s World Soil Day event will also provide an opportunity to pay tribute to His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej of the Kingdom of Thailand and his royal duties in the field of development, especially on the conservation of soil.

     On the same day, the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Thailand to the United Nations and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations will co-host a reception on the occasion of the World Soil Day from 18.30 - 20.30 hrs. at the exhibition area. A high number of Permanent Representatives and other high-level representatives from Member States and other UN agencies are expected to attend the reception.

     During the week of 28 November - 2 December 2016, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand is organising the exhibition in honour of His Majesty the late King entitled “The Lifetime Journey of the World’s Development King” at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. This exhibition is held in remembrance of His Majesty’s development works as well as the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy which can contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.