The 42^nd session of the FAO Conference held from 14^th to 18^th June endorsed the proposal of an International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) in 2026 by the Mongolian government and adopted the Resolution.

The Conference recognized that a significant number of pastoralists in the world inhabit rangelands and that pastoralism is globally practiced in many different forms. Healthy rangelands are vital for contributing to economic growth, resilient livelihoods, and the sustainable development of pastoralism. It acknowledged the efforts to achieve sustainable rangelands and pastoralism need to be rapidly up-scaled to significantly impact the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Conference acknowledged that FAO has a long-standing work developed in supporting sustainable rangelands and pastoralists from different approaches and thematic areas. It further recognized the relevance of sustainable rangelands and pastoralism to several UN agencies, including the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development. It acknowledged their collaborative efforts with intergovernmental, private sector, and civil society partners. Moreover, the Conference called upon the United Nations Decade of Family Farming and the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration to support pastoralists and sustainable rangeland management.

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, including sustainable land management practices, improved and restored ecosystems, access to markets, livestock health and breeding, and enhanced livestock extension services. Thus, improving productivity, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and maintaining and enhancing biodiversity.

In conclusion, the Conference requested the FAO Director-General, Dr. Qu Dongyu, to convey the adopted Resolution to the United Nations 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.