The official launch of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026 will take place on 2 December 2025 at the Sheikh Zayed Centre, FAO Headquarters in Rome, in a hybrid format.
Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly at its 76th session (Resolution A/RES/76/253), the IYRP 2026 aims to raise global awareness of the vital roles that rangelands and pastoralists play in food security, climate adaptation and mitigation, ecosystem health and sustainable rural livelihoods.
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.
Please join the webcast here. For more information, please contact IYRP@fao.org.
