The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will this week turn the spotlight on the overlooked role of soil in urban environments, arguing that the health of city populations and their resilience to climate change is critically dependent on the ground beneath their feet.

According to a report issued by FAO T today, the UN agency will mark World Soil Day on December 5 with a global celebration at its Rome headquarters under the theme ‘Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities.’ FAO Director-General QU Dongyu is scheduled to deliver the opening address at the event, which will be broadcast live online.

This year’s focus aims to elevate awareness of how soils in urban settings regulate temperature and water, improve air quality, and sustain green spaces. The discussions will connect these functions to the FAO’s broader One Health approach and its expanding Green Cities Initiative, which now includes more than 300 municipalities worldwide.

During the ceremony, two major international awards will be presented to recognize excellence in the field. The Glinka World Soil Prize, supported by the Russian Federation, honours outstanding contributions to sustainable soil management at global, regional, or national levels.

Concurrently, the King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award, sponsored by the Kingdom of Thailand, will be given for exceptional work in promoting World Soil Day through impactful campaigns, education, or advocacy.

Established as an official UN observance in 2014 under Thailand”s leadership, World Soil Day is facilitated by the FAO’s Global Soil Partnership. It serves as an international platform to advocate for the vital role of soils in food security, ecosystem health, and sustainable development.

Both accolades aim to inspire greater action in line with other FAO programs, including the Recarbonization of Global Agricultural Soils (RECSOIL) Initiative, the Global Soil Doctors Programme, and the SoilFER programme.