Ideas for an IYRP had been raised during the Joint International Grassland & Rangeland Congress (IGC/IRC) in Hohhot, China, in 2008, and developed in more detail during IRC2016 in Canada. The theme of the Joint IGC/IRC2021, hosted by Kenya, was “Sustainable use of grassland and rangeland resources for improved livelihoods.” The Congress aimed to promote exchange of scientific and technical information on all aspects of grasslands and rangelands including grassland & rangeland ecology; forage production & utilisation; livestock production systems; wildlife & tourism; drought management; climate change in rangelands; pastoralism; social, gender & policy issues; and capacity building, extension & governance. The main objectives of the IYRP-related activities during the Congress were to raise awareness about the IYRP, to gain greater support for it and to generate enthusiasm among researchers and practitioners to identify and fill the knowledge gaps about rangelands and pastoralists.
The IYRP was featured in several keynote and panel speeches in the Congress plenary. Two 90-minute Concurrent Sessions were devoted to understanding the major issues concerning rangelands and pastoralists in different regions of the world and to generating further support for the IYRP. The IYRP had its own Exhibit Booth. It also presented films from the "Perspectives on Pastoralism Film Festival", organised by CELEP (Coalition of European Lobbies for Eastern African Pastoralism) on behalf of the IYRP International Support Group.bThe papers presented during the IYRP Concurrent Sessions and other IYRP-related papers presented during the Congress can be found below.
Some members of the IYRP coalition attended the IGC 2023 held in Kentucky, USA. A brief report can be found below. During its Business Meeting on 19 May 2023, the IGC passed a resolution to support the IYRP: "Resolution 6 – That the IGC fully support the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists initiative for 2026 including encouraging participation in the Regional Support Groups."
Preparations are now underway for the IRC2025 to be held in Adelaide, Australia, with the theme "Working together for our global rangelands future", and for the IGC 2027 to be hosted in Leipzig, Germany, 100 years after the first IGC was held in Leipzig. The IGC theme will be "100 years of grassland research – way to the future”.
At the IRC2025, two Concurrent Sessions will focus on the work of IYRP Working Groups and Regional IYRP Support Groups (RISGs), an open forum of the IRC and IYRP will be held, a series of films on pastoralism compiled by an IYRP subgroup will be screened, and a pre-congress forum on traditional and indigenous knowledge in the rangelands (see flyer below) will be held. The IYRP is also helping prepare the session on Women in Rangelands. See below the 4th announcement of the IRC2025 Organising Committee.
