The United Nations General Assembly at its 76th session declared 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP). FAO is the lead agency for celebrating the Year in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders.
The #IYRP2026 provides a unique opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of rangelands and pastoralists, advocating for increased responsible investment and adapted policies for the pastoral sector. It calls for policies that secure pastoralists’ access to land and natural resources, support mobility, and promote customary and inclusive governance, while encouraging adequate investments in rangeland management, ecosystem restoration, animal health services, and equitable value chains.
The Year also aims to foster inclusive policy dialogue and collaborative engagement to improve pastoralist livelihoods and sustainable rangeland management. Rangelands and pastoralists have great potential to contribute and deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
What are Rangelands and who are Pastoralists?
NEWS
FAO launches the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026 to strengthen these ecosystems and support the people who sustain them
02/12/2025
Rome – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today launched the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026), a global campaign aimed at raising awareness of and enhancing the vital contributions of rangelands and pastoralists to sustainable agrifood systems, biodiversity preservation and climate resilience...
.jpg?sfvrsn=b426a507_11 "IYRP Launch Ceremony")
NEWS
In a world searching for solutions to the interconnected climate, biodiversity and land degradation crises, rangelands and pastoralists are part of the answer
10/03/2026
Interview with FAO's Director of Animal Production and Health, Thanawat Tiensin, on the role of rangelands and pastoralists in sustainable agrifood systems, biodiversity preservation and climate resilience, as the UN marks the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026...
FAO feature and in-depth stories
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A resourcing pit-stop in the pastoralist journey
Major infrastructure investments help pastoralists and locals share limited resources in the Sahel
Taking pasture matters into their own hands
Maasai Indigenous youth in Kenya grow their own forage for the security of their animals and their livelihoods
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Quenching a thirst for camel milk
Adopting innovation and technology in camel herding practices to enhance livelihoods in Mongolia
What COVID-19 movement restrictions mean for nomadic pastoralists in the Sahel
Better land governance could be a solution to challenges pastoralists face
Seven reasons why pastoralism supports a better future
This time-tested practice works with nature and offers numerous benefits
Solar powered water pumps support pastoralists’ livelihoods in times of climate crisis
One agropastoralist in South Sudan is adapting to the changing climate and helping others do the same
Looking for more ideas?
Whether you are a pastoralist, researcher, government, private business, NGO, journalist, civil society organization, academic institution, or individual, you can take part in the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026.
Innovation, market integration and locally adapted services can enhance decent rural employment and support pastoralist youth and women
Access to new technologies, markets, and financial services opens opportunities for pastoralists especially youth and women to improve livelihoods and quality of life. Innovations such as mobile herding apps, weather forecasting, animal health services, and value-added processing, along with social innovations such as pastoralist field schools and cooperative models, can boost incomes and reduce risk. Integrating pastoralists into broader markets ensures fair prices, rewards sustainable practices, and strengthens regional economies. Tailored extension services and education including existing shepherding schools and vocational opportunities empower the next generation to lead and adapt within changing environments. Supporting youth and women in pastoralist societies drives innovation, strengthens communities, and promotes diversified rural economies.
Existing data gaps on rangelands and pastoralists need to be filled to guide better informed policymaking and responsible investments
Comprehensive, accurate data on rangeland conditions, pastoralist populations, and their contributions to sustainable development goals are often lacking. Without good information and evidence, governments and investors struggle to plan effectively, prioritize support, or track progress in supporting rangelands and pastoralists. Improved data collection, including through participatory and local monitoring of rangeland health and pastoral systems can reveal trends, risks, and opportunities. Filling these gaps enables targeted, evidence-based interventions, policies and programmes that bring real benefits to people and ecosystems. Reliable data is essential for informed and sound policymaking, responsible investment, and global accountability.
Pastoral mobility must be protected to preserve healthy rangelands and support pastoralists’ resilience to climate change
Pastoralists move their herds strategically, following variable seasonal conditions, forage availability, and market opportunities. This mobility allows vegetation to recover, keeps herds healthy, and reduces pressure on fragile soils and water sources. Mobility also supports participation in local, regional, and cross-border trade, strengthening pastoral economies, and market integration. Policies that restrict and disrupt movement such as land fragmentation, or privatization can undermine both the rangeland health and pastoral livelihoods. In the face of increasingly unpredictable weather, mobility is an essential adaptation strategy, helping communities cope with droughts, floods, and shifting seasonal patterns. Securing mobility means supporting the long-term viability of rangelands, economies, and pastoralist communities.
Legislation and policies are essential to better support pastoralists’ rights, recognize Indigenous and local knowledge, and promote inclusive community-based governance
Supportive laws and policies are needed to secure access to land, water, and mobility routes that pastoralists depend on. Recognizing and respecting Indigenous and local knowledge in governance processes improves land management and strengthens community resilience. Inclusive, participatory policies foster cooperation and reduce conflict between different land users. When pastoralists are meaningfully involved in decision-making, laws and policies can better reflect their realities. Supporting pastoralist rights strengthens communities and rangeland ecosystems, generating broader benefits for national economies and sustainable development.
Rangelands cover around half of the world's surface, are home to unique biodiversity, and support sustainable food systems and livelihoods, yet they face severe land conversion
Rangelands comprise diverse ecosystems such as grasslands, savannahs, shrublands, steppes, mountain areas, wetlands, deserts, and open woodlands. They span continents and nurture unique plant and animal species. These landscapes provide natural forage for livestock, support livelihoods and economies in many regions, and contribute to global meat, dairy, and fibre production. Rangelands also connect communities through local and cross-border trade networks that support rural markets and cultural exchanges. However, they are increasingly threatened by land degradation, conversion for urban and cropland land-use, mining, and the spread of invasive species, among others. These pressures lead to habitat loss, soil erosion, declining rangeland productivity and reduced resilience to climate impacts. Safeguarding rangelands from further conversion is essential for biodiversity, communities, and food systems worldwide.
Pastoralists work with nature to produce food while preserving ecosystems
Pastoralists raise livestock in balance with nature, guided by Indigenous and local knowledge, developed, transmitted and maintained over millennia. Their practices such as strategic herd mobility and adaptive grazing, help regenerate rangeland vegetation, maintain healthy soils, water cycles, and wildlife habitats. By producing high quality meat, milk, and other animal-source foods, pastoralists contribute to food security and nutrition. Their approach benefits both people and the environment, demonstrating how livelihoods and ecosystems can thrive together. Maintaining these practices supports biodiversity including Indigenous livestock breeds and provides ecosystem services for future generations.
Global Alliance for Rangelands and Pastoralists
The IYRP has been supported by the IYRP Global Alliance for Rangelands and Pastoralists, a coalition of more than 400 pastoralist and supporting organizations, and more than 1000 individuals who worked for many years to support the nomination, preparation and now celebration of the IYRP. The Alliance is composed of regional support groups and thematic working groups and has been organizing national, regional and global events to enhance pastoralists’ voices.
The Global Alliance strives to build coalitions and promote policy change and responsible investment in 2026 and beyond. If you want to join the Global Alliance, contact its Global Secretariat: