United Nations declares 2026 International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2026 the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP), to be formally implemented by the FAO. This paper (United Nations declares 2026 International Year of Rangelands & Pastoralists) introduces the IYRP and associated Global Alliance for Rangelands & Pastoralists (GA4RP) by describing their origins, goals and activities. Motivation for the IYRP emerged from the need to transform misguided myths portraying rangelands as having marginal value and pastoralism as backward and inefficient. The GA4RP is a network comprising more than 1000 individuals and more than 400 organisations established to promote the IYRP.
The GA4RP is organised into 11 regional support groups that provide global representation of rangelands and pastoralists. It developed a framework of 12 monthly themes to highlight the critical global challenges confronting rangelands and pastoralists. Pastoralist groups are organising events to enhance awareness of their cultures and ways of life and to increase awareness and leverage with national and global policymakers. The GA4RP seeks to accomplish its goals through participation in global, regional and national events and by promoting strategic investment and policy. Policy recommendations will be presented to international and national governing bodies and at major global conferences in 2026 and beyond.

Posted on 28 January 2026 in General Policy Documents, News, Pastoralism & Natural Resources, Value of Pastoralism