Importance of soils the focus of S20 summit

August 02, 2018
Scientists from around the world, including Academy President Professor John Shine, met in Argentina recently, with a focus on the importance of soils to food and nutrition security.

The importance of soils to food and nutrition security was the focus an international summit of scientists held in Argentina recently. 

Academy President, Professor John Shine, joined more than 200 other scientists at the Science 20 (S20) Summit in Argentina, from which recommendations for achieving a sustainable food future were made. The S20 is made up of academies of sciences of G20 countries and is a powerful voice for science across the world.

The group's recommendations, Food and Nutrition Security: Improving Soils and Increasing Productivity was presented to Dr Lino Barañao, Argentine Minister of Science, Technology and Innovative Production. The minister was also presented with four books containing research on food and nutritional security by the InterAcademy Partnership, an organisation that represents 120 academies of science from around the world including Australia, for consideration by the G20 leaders.

The S20’s statement focused on promoting good soil governance and knowledge about soil. It encouraged new international programs to boost scientific cooperation on sustainable soil management, and the creation of opportunities for professionals and scientists from developing countries. Academy Fellows Dr TJ Higgins and Professor Alex McBratney contributed to the statement. 

More information on the summit and the recommendations

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