At the initiative of Mongolia, the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. The purpose of this Year is to raise public awareness of the importance of rangeland ecosystems, particularly the contributions of mobile pastoralism to food security, economic development, and environmental sustainability. It also aims to correct misconceptions about rangelands and pastoralists, amplify herders’ voices, disseminate participatory research and knowledge, promote science-based legislation on rangelands, and increase sustainable and ethical financing and investment to support rangelands and pastoralists.

Rangeland ecosystems directly support the livelihoods of around 500 million people and benefit an additional 2 billion people indirectly. Scientific research has repeatedly shown that livestock products from pastoral systems such as meat and milk are rich in protein and essential nutrients. Pastoralism also has strong carbon sequestration potential, plays an important role in mitigating climate change, and serves as a source of biological diversity and a habitat for many endangered species.

Milestones in the proclamation of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists:

• 2008: The International Rangeland Congress (IRC) highlighted the global need to recognize the long-term value of rangeland ecosystems.
• 2016: The International Support Group for Rangelands and Pastoralists was established.
• 2022: the UN General Assembly, with the support of 102 countries, formally declared 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists.
• 2025: The official UN-FAO Working Group to established

The global Support Group now brings together 550 organizations from 102 countries, with a Standing Working Group of more than 50 members. Since its creation, the Group has been developing policy documents related to pastoralism and conducting and promoting research on rangeland-based livestock production. Representing Mongolian Green Gold – Rangeland Research Center, we serve as one of the three Co-Chair of the Support Group and have contributed actively to many of its initiatives.

As part of these efforts, a documentary film showcasing the unique mobility of nomadic herders has been produced in collaboration with CIRAD, AVSF, and a French film team, in preparation for the International Year. This film will be premiered at the Launching Ceremony. Today, together with young herder representative Ts. Munkhtsetseg, a woman herder from Shuranga bagh of Uyanga soum, Uvurkhangai aimag, we are traveling to participate in the official opening of the Year and make speech for the launching.