UNGA adopts a resolution entitled ‘International year of rangelands and pastoralists, 2026’ at the initiative of Mongolia
PoliticsUlaanbaatar/MONTSAME/. On 15 March 2022, the UN General
Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution entitled ‘International Year of
Rangelands and Pastoralists, 2026’ at the initiative of Mongolia.
Currently, pastureland accounts for more than half of the
world’s land with over 200 million people raising livestock in pastoral and
agro-pastoral systems across all regions, and the sector plays a significant
role in the global economy and achievement of the Sustainable Development
Goals. However, in recent years, on the one hand, rangelands and pastures have
been affected by increasing climate variability and soil degradation, and on
the other hand, pastoralists are facing many problems, including insecure
tenure rights and land use change as well as limited access to markets, education
and health services. Therefore, for the pastoral populations and for the global
sustainable development, in 2018, the Government of Mongolia put forward an
initiative to proclaim the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists
and its tireless efforts in cooperation with organizations and mechanisms such
as the UN FAO, UNEP and International Support Group have yielded the current
UNGA resolution to celebrate the year in 2026.
In his introductory remarks of the draft resolution, H.E.
Mr. Enkhbold Vorshilov, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Mongolia to
the United Nations, emphasized that the International Year of Rangelands and
Pastoralists will further encourage more countries to enhance awareness and
knowledge on sustainability of rangelands and pastoralists, support the
livelihoods and food security of millions of people, boost efforts for
investment in pastoral systems and restoration of degraded rangelands, and
accelerate implementation of the SDGs. He also highlighted that the activities
to be carried out within the scope of the International Year will make an
important contribution to developing the agricultural sector, fighting against
desertification and climate change, and reducing unemployment and poverty,
which are important components of ‘Vision 2050’, long-term development policy
document of Mongolia.
The resolution entitled ‘International Year of Rangelands
and Pastoralists, 2026’ was co-sponsored by 61 UN Member States representing
all regions of the world.
Source: mfa.gov.mn