Ulaanbaatar
Mongolia’s proposal to declare 2026 Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists endorsed by FAO Conference
Environment
Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/. The 42nd session of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Conference, held from 14th to 18th June, 2021, has endorsed the proposal of an International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) in 2026 by the Mongolian government.
In conclusion, the Conference requested the FAO Director-General, Dr. Qu Dongyu, to convey the adopted Resolution to the UN Secretary-General for consideration at the General Assembly of the United Nations in September 2021, declaring 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists to raise global awareness for the sustainable rangelands and pastoralism.
Eighteen governments and 264 organizations formally support the IYRP proposal. The Conference recognized the significant contributions made by the scientific community, non-governmental organizations, pastoralist associations, and other relevant civil society actors, including innovative approaches towards achieving sustainable rangelands and pastoralism.
The Conference urged Member Nations to further increase responsible investment in the pastoral livestock sector. The virtual conference was attended by Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry Z.Mendsaikhan, Ambassador of Mongolia to Italy Ts.Jambaldorj, representing Mongolia.
The proposal of Mongolia to declare 2026 the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists acknowledges that efforts aimed at achieving sustainable rangelands and pastoralism need to be rapidly up-scaled so as to make significant impact in achieving all Sustainable Development Goals in drylands, mountains, Arctic circle, and other areas used by pastoralists; and that an International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralism in 2026 would help to provide the necessary attention and investment required for achieving such urgent change by 2030.
More information on the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists can be found here.
