Tajikistan focuses on “Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities” to build sustainable and resilient urban environments

Urban soils provide critical ecosystem services, including food production, temperature regulation, water filtration and storage, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity conservation. These functions are fundamental to building cities that are more habitable, resilient, and climate-ready. World Soil Day 2025 therefore serves as a call to action, encouraging policymakers, scientists, city leaders, civil society organizations and citizens to re-evaluate how urban areas are planned, developed and restored through sustainable soil management.

The one-day national conference brought together government officials, researchers, farmers, environmental organizations, academic institutions and private sector representatives to discuss innovative approaches for preventing soil degradation, mitigating soil sealing, and integrating nature-based solutions into urban planning. Participants examined ways to ensure that soil health becomes a central pillar of Tajikistan’s urban development agenda and shared perspectives on the pressures that expanding cities place on soil resources.

“As Tajikistan continues to grow and urbanize, we must recognize that the quality of our soils directly shapes the quality of life in our communities. Today’s conference highlights the urgency of protecting these vital resources from degradation and sealing, while embracing innovative, science-based solutions for urban planning,” said Zebo Bobokhoniyon, Head of the Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan.

The event sought to advance a shared understanding of the importance of urban soils while strengthening coordinated action at both national and local levels. It underscored the need to promote the contribution of healthy urban soils to sustainable cities and improved quality of life; advocate for policies that prevent soil sealing, degradation and contamination; and foster knowledge exchange among policymakers, scientists, urban planners, civil society actors and the private sector.

“By bringing together leading experts, policymakers and practitioners, the event underscored Tajikistan’s commitment to climate-resilient development, food security and sustainable ecosystems. Healthy soils form the foundation of healthy cities, and through coordinated, science-based action, Tajikistan can ensure its urban landscapes support both people and nature now and in the future,” emphasized Aghasi Harutyunyan, FAO Representative a.i. in Tajikistan.

The outcomes of the conference are expected to include strengthened partnerships among national stakeholders, increased awareness of soil-related challenges in urban areas, and enhanced advocacy for sustainable soil management. The event facilitated knowledge exchange on innovative technologies and practical case studies and generated policy recommendations aimed at improving soil health in Tajikistan’s rapidly growing urban environments.