The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will host the opening ceremony of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) 2026 at FAO headquarters in Rome on Tuesday 2 December 2025.
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. FAO has been designated as the lead agency for the observance and coordination of the International Year.
The opening ceremony will bring together representatives of FAO Members, intergovernmental organizations, pastoralist communities, research institutions, civil society, and the private sector, to launch a year-long series of activities and partnerships in support of sustainable rangelands and pastoralists development.
The event will feature high-level statements and two panel discussions. Leading up to the ceremony, a five-day exhibition will be held in the FAO Atrium, showcasing pastoralist cultures, innovations, and products from around the world.
Simultaneous interpretation in all six FAO languages will be provided.
Watch online here.