International Year of Rangelands & Pastoralists (IYRP) 2026
The United Nations General Assembly designated 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands & Pastoralists (IYRP). This was the result of efforts by a voluntary group now called the Global Alliance for Rangelands & Pastoralists (GA4RP), which worked for over 10 years towards attaining this designation. It is now implementing the year in collaboration with the Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations.
Aims of the Initiative
- Awareness: Greater awareness in science & society about how rangelands & pastoralists contribute to food security, economy, environment & cultural heritage.
- International Support: Resolutions taken by UN and other international entities in support of rangelands & pastoralists.
- Policy Reform: Changes in national, regional & global policies in favour of sustainable management of rangeland resources by pastoralists & other stakeholders.
- Ethical Investment: Increased sustainable & ethical investment in rangelands & pastoralist livelihoods.
Key Resources & Media
- 🎬 Promotional Film: Watch the film developed by GA4RP to promote IYRP2026
- 📊 Monthly Themes: PowerPoint presentations on monthly themes
- 🐾 Animal Diversity: Information on diversity of animals in rangelands
- 📅 Event Calendar: Calendar of past and upcoming IYRP events
Key Documents
Developed by the IYRP Working Groups:
- People & institutions in pastoralism & rangelands: a glossary of terms
- Rangeland afforestation is not a natural climate solution
- Powered by variability: rethinking climate policy for pastoralism
- Securing land rights for pastoralists: policy brief
- Policy brief on pastoral commons
- Outgrowing offsets: policy brief on pastoralists & carbon markets
- Sustainable water development in the pastoral rangelands: a call to action
- Rangelands, pastoralism & biodiversity: key messages & policy recommendations
- Global actions for sustainable rangelands & pastoralism to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality
- Key messages on pastoral economy (Infographic)
- Build on the knowledge and initiatives of pastoralist women: policy brief
Declarations from COP17 (August 2026, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia)
Declarations made by pastoralist organisations worldwide at the 17th Conference of Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD):
Follow & Learn More
For more information and to follow the Global Alliance for Rangelands & Pastoralists (GA4RP):