In the context of the Covid-19 crisis, the 26th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Convention against Climate Change took place in Glasgow next November as initially planned in 2020. Following the recent publication of a new IPCC report that is increasingly alarmist on the need for all parties to meet their commitments under the 2015 Paris Agreement to limit the impact on global warming to a maximum of 2°C, it is becoming urgent to take concrete action on the ground. It is obvious for many and maybe new for others, but the management of soils and their organic matter, and consequently to act on their capacity to sequester carbon, constitutes a serious track and a solid hope to impact global warming.

"Soil health" referred to here is precisely at the heart of the "4 per 1000: Soils for Food Security and Climate" Initiative. This is because sequestering carbon in soils through photosynthesis via agriculture and forestry would fulfill three essential functions in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals: improving food security, helping agriculture and forestry adaptation to climate change, and contributing to climate change mitigation.

The goals of the 2050 Strategic Plan of the “4 per 1000” Initiative are more relevant than ever for this unique multi-stakeholder partnership in the field of food security and climate change, that brings together nearly 650 members and partners (countries, international organizations, research and educational institutions, agricultural and forestry producers, non-governmental organizations, businesses, etc.).

After the adoption of its strategic plan in 2020, and six years after its creation, the "4 per 1000" Initiative presented its Strategic Plan designed to implement the strategic plan from an operational point of view until 2050.The Initiative is starting a phase of implementation and concrete achievements on the ground with the collaboration of its members, partners and supporters.

The 5th International "4 per 1000" Initiative Day was then held on December 10 in face-to-face in Glasgow and also online, with the Forum of Partners in the morning and the Consortium of Members in the afternoon. The day was moderated by Ms. Gabrielle Bastien, Vice-President of the International "4 per 1000" Initiative, and founder of the NGO "Regeneration Canada". The theme of the Forum of Partners was ‘Mobilization of stakeholders through multi-stakeholder coalitions (alliances and partnerships) for the implementation of the 2050 Strategic Plan of the "4 per 1000" Initiative’.

A high-level segment opened the event. Many personalities representing partner structures of "4 per 1000" (countries or regions, international organizations, agricultural producers' organizations, NGOs, research centers, companies, etc.) presented their point of view regarding the implementation of the 2050 Strategic Plan of the "4 per 1000" Initiative.

At the end of the morning, the annual activity report of the “4 per 1000” Initiative was presented by Mr Paul Luu, Executive Secretary, followed by the presentation of the 2020-2021 Activity Report of the STC (Scientific and Technical Committee) by Dr Cornelia Rumpel, President of the Scientific and Technical Committee. The Implementation Plan of the “4 per 1000” strategy was detailed by Mr Paul Luu, Mr Marc Bernard, consultant to the Executive Secretariat, explained its development, and presented "Twin Regions" project, one of the projects of the "4 per 1000" Implementation Plan.

In the afternoon, the Consortium of Members held its meeting. During this meeting, the Roadmap 2022 and the budget were adopted.

The Executive Secretariat would like to warmly thank all the people who contributed to the organization of this day and all those who participated in this important event in the life of the Initiative

Yours sincerely,

Paul LUU

Executive Secretary