The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will host the Opening Ceremony of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) 2026 on 2 December 2025 at the Sheikh Zayed Centre, FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, in a hybrid format. The event marks the official start of the United Nations observance, declared by the UN General Assembly at its 76th Session (Resolution A/RES/76/253) following the proposal of FAO’s 42nd Conference (Resolution 5/2021). FAO serves as the lead agency for the IYRP, coordinating its implementation with FAO Members, international organizations, civil society, the private sector, and other stakeholders.

The IYRP 2026 aims to raise awareness of the critical role that rangelands and pastoralists play in food security, climate adaptation and mitigation, ecosystem health, and national and local economies. Rangelands cover about half of the Earth’s land surface, supporting unique biodiversity and providing livelihoods and nutrition to millions of people. Pastoralists manage natural resources through strategic mobility, traditional knowledge, and adaptive practices that enhance carbon storage, soil fertility, biodiversity conservation, and the production of high-quality animal source food, while maintaining cultural heritage.

The ceremony will feature remarks from the FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu, H.E. Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, President of Mongolia, and other dignitaries, followed by two panel discussions highlighting the environmental, social, and economic importance of rangelands and pastoralists.

Coinciding with the opening ceremony, a five-day exhibition (1–5 December) will be held in the FAO Atrium, alongside the FAO Council, highlighting the key messages of the IYRP. The exhibition will feature a photo exhibition, promotional videos, cultural performances, and products from pastoralist communities, showcasing their contributions to sustainable food systems and ecosystem management.

Simultaneous interpretation will be available in all six FAO official languages.

Further information and updates on the event will be made available on the IYRP website in due course.

Should you have any questions, please contact the IYRP Secretariat at: [email protected].