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From
CGIAR Initiative on Livestock and Climate
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Published on
18.12.24
CGIAR Research Initiative on Livestock and Climate and its partners including IYRP 2026 Alliance, International Land Coalition (ILC) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) hosted a pivotal side event at the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP-16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This event served as a critical milestone in the lead-up to the International Year of Pastoralists and Rangelands (IYRP), slated for 2026 and to be hosted by Mongolia.
“Rangelands cover more than half of the Earth’s land mass and directly or indirectly support livelihoods of over two billion people, yet these ecosystems and the pastoralists who depend on them, remain some of the most overlooked globally,” stated Anar Enkhbold, the representative of the government of Mongolia at COP-16 as he officially opened the IYRP 2026 side event. He informed participants that his government had taken proactive measures to prepare for IYRP 2026.
Igshaan Samuels, co-chair of the IYRP Alliance, explained the initiative’s overarching goals: “The IYRP aims to increase global understanding of the importance of rangelands and pastoralism, debunk myths, and promote informed, science-based policies. This is a chance to make rangelands and pastoralists visible to the world.”
A global initiative years in the making
The journey to establish the IYRP began in 2019 when the Government of Mongolia proposed the initiative to the United Nations. In March 2022, the UN General Assembly formally declared 2026 the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, recognizing their vital contributions to food security, ecosystem services, and cultural heritage.
The Parliament of Mongolia adopted Resolution 153 in 2024, which outlines a roadmap for the event, and has allocated budgets, and prioritized national actions to support pastoralists and rangelands. In addition, Mongolia will host the UNCCD COP-17 in 2025, further cementing its leadership in championing rangeland issues.
Building momentum through collaboration
The IYRP side event in Riyadh highlighted the collaborative spirit driving IYRP 2026. Partners from different agencies as well as regional and local actors presented updates from regional and technical working groups, which are addressing key topics such as land degradation neutrality, gender, climate change, and youth leadership in pastoralism.
The working groups will use IYRP 2026 to support advocacy against the indiscriminate conversion of rangelands to croplands, tree plantations, forests, mining areas, infrastructure and human settlement and highlight the importance of pastoral mobility as a sustainable nature-based solution for rangeland management and restoration. Key priorities include promoting flexible and secure land tenure systems, well-planned animal corridors, and accessible water points for transhumance activities.
The moderator of the event Fiona Flintan, ILRI senior scientist took participants through a documentary showcasing the challenges faced by pastoralists and the importance of rangelands for global ecosystems. Featuring stories from Tanzania’s Maasai communities and pastoralists in Mongolia and in Kyrgyzstan, the film emphasized the urgency of addressing issues such as erratic rainfall, population growth, and unsustainable land use practices.
Engaging local, regional, and global communities
Carlos Enrique Lopez, another key speaker, presented the IYRP 2026 roadmap, which includes a series of global, regional, and local events. These range from the International Rangelands Congress in Australia to the Andean Region PastoAmericas Meeting in Peru, and local gatherings of pastoralist communities.
At the regional level, events such as the West Africa Agro-Pastoralism Conference in Senegal and the Southern Africa Grasslands Society Conference in South Africa will provide platforms for dialogue and collaboration. Local mapping of pastoralist activities will play a crucial role in ensuring that grassroots perspectives are represented during IYRP 2026.
Looking ahead
As the IYRP 2026 gains momentum, the FAO is set to formalize the initiative by establishing a secretariat in early 2025 and forming a steering committee shortly thereafter. The official launch of the formal IYRP Alliance is anticipated in December 2025. CGIAR Research Initiative on Livestock and Climate is supporting the preparation activities for the IYRP.
The IYRP 2026 aims to inspire action and investment in pastoralist communities and rangelands worldwide, ensuring that their invaluable contributions to sustainability, biodiversity, and cultural heritage are recognized and supported. With Mongolia leading the charge, the world is poised to celebrate the resilience and significance of pastoralists and their ecosystems.
As Anar Enkhbold aptly stated, “This is a global call to recognize and appreciate the time-tested practices of pastoralism and the critical role of rangelands in sustaining life on Earth.”
Video of the event is availed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZTvXTyIPtk&t=7s