What international 'year' was 2026 declared by the United Nations upon Mongolia's proposal, focusing on pasturelands?

The United Nations General Assembly has officially designated 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP). This significant declaration came about following a proposal spearheaded by the Government of Mongolia, a nation with deep historical and cultural ties to nomadic pastoralism. The initiative, endorsed by numerous member states, aims to shine a global spotlight on these often-overlooked ecosystems and the communities who depend on them.

Rangelands are vast areas of natural grasses, shrubs, and sometimes trees that cover roughly half of the Earth's land surface. These diverse landscapes, which include savannas, steppes, and grasslands, are crucial for global food security, providing forage for livestock and supporting a wide array of wildlife. Pastoralists are people whose livelihoods are intrinsically linked to these rangelands, raising livestock through sustainable, often mobile, practices that have shaped these environments for generations. Their traditional knowledge and management play a vital role in maintaining biodiversity, regulating climate, and sustaining healthy ecosystems.

Despite their immense value, rangelands and pastoralist communities frequently face significant challenges, including land degradation, climate change impacts, and a lack of recognition in policy-making. The International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists seeks to raise global awareness of these issues, advocate for sustainable management practices, and foster greater investment in the pastoral livestock sector. By highlighting the economic, environmental, and social importance of rangelands and pastoralists, the UN hopes to promote policies that support their resilience and ensure the health of these critical landscapes for future generations.