Stakeholders from civil society, government, business and science are currently gathering in Berlin for the First Global Soil Week. Taking place from 18-22 November, the aim of the conference is to find solutions to soil degradation: Worldwide, more than 24 billion tons of fertile soil are being lost each year. Erosion, the sealing of soil surfaces and desertification are all increasing. Over the four day event, participants will discuss the key issues and develop action plans for sustainable soil management. Topics such as the economics of land degradation, the challenges of raising soil awareness and the Voluntary Guidelines on Land Governance will be addressed in a series of dialogue sessions, panels and other events. With soils being essential for the production of over 90% of the world’s food, the link between soils and food security will also be discussed. In the run-up to the event, Professor Klaus Töpfer, Executive Director of the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), organiser of the conference, warned that “Available fertile agricultural land is decreasing and, at the same time, we need to ensure food security of almost nine billion people”. The Global Soil Week is intended to serve as a platform to initiate follow-up actions on land and soil-related decisions made at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) and takes place within the framework of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’s Global Soil Partnership.