Rangelands and Pastoralists

Rangelands include grasslands, savannahs, shrublands and deserts that sustain biodiversity, regulate water cycles and help buffer climate extremes. They also support pastoralism, a mobile livestock system that contributes to food security, cultural identity and resilience for more than 500 million people, while providing one-sixth of the world’s nutrition needs. Yet these landscapes are too often overlooked in policy and investment, and are increasingly affected by degradation, land conversion and approaches that fail to reflect how they are used and managed.

In 2026, the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists offers a chance to change that. It will help elevate the role of pastoralists, Indigenous Peoples, women, youth and local communities whose knowledge is essential to sustainable land stewardship. With Mongolia hosting UNCCD COP17 under the theme “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope”, the year brings global attention to stronger governance, better tenure security, increased investment and practical solutions that protect rangelands while supporting the people who depend on them.