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UNCCD COP17 to be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17-28 August 2026Ulaanbaatar/Bonn, 5 February 2026 – Mongolia and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) today announced the theme of the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UNCCD as preparations intensify for the landmark global conference on desertification, land degradation and drought taking place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17–28 August 2026. The theme – “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope” – was announced during high-level meetings between UNCCD and Mongolia’s leadership to advance UNCCD COP17 preparations. “Land is our most vital infrastructure – underpinning food security, water, livelihoods and stability. When land fails, insecurity rises — through lost livelihoods, forced displacement and increased competition over scarce resources. With UNCCD COP17, Mongolia is offering the world a powerful message: Restoring Land, Restoring Hope is not only an environmental agenda, but a development and resilience priority. As drought intensifies and land degradation accelerates, the conference must drive practical, investable solutions – from restoring degraded land and soils to strengthening the land–water nexus - so that communities can thrive,” said UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad. “Mongolia is fully aware of the responsibility that comes with hosting UNCCD COP17, and we are committed to ensuring that the Conference delivers concrete, action-oriented and lasting outcomes. As a country whose development, livelihoods and cultural heritage are deeply connected to the land, we firmly believe that land restoration is a fundamental pillar of peace, sustainable development and inclusive socio-economic growth. Hosting COP17 in 2026, during the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, offers a unique opportunity to elevate rangelands and pastoralist livelihoods from awareness to implementation and investment, and to strengthen global cooperation in addressing desertification, land degradation and drought” noted the Prime Minister of Mongolia, Mr. Gombojavyn Zandanshatar. As the first of the three Rio Conventions’ COPs taking place in 2026 – on land, biodiversity and climate change, UNCCD COP17 aims to catalyze collective action to protect land-based livelihoods and strengthen resilience through a people-centered approach.COP17 is expected to bring together delegates from UNCCD’s 197 Parties, alongside leaders from government, business and civil society, as well as scientists, youth, Indigenous Peoples, pastoralists and smallholder farmers, to forge solutions to the interconnected challenges of desertification, land degradation and drought, recognizing that restoring land is also essential to reducing instability, preventing displacement, and strengthening human and national security in vulnerable regions.Land degradation is already affecting up to 40 per cent of the world’s land, with far-reaching impacts on food production, water availability, livelihoods, and economic stability. COP17 offers a pivotal moment for countries and partners to strengthen implementation and mobilize greater investment in drought resilience and sustainable land management.With a vast territory of 1.56 million square kilometers, Mongolia is among the countries most affected by desertification and land degradation, with nearly 77 per cent of its land already degraded. Hosting UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar will place international focus on land restoration priorities, including approaches that safeguard livelihoods, food security and ecosystems in dryland regions.COP17 is taking place during the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, declared by the United Nations General Assembly and championed by Mongolia. This presents a major opportunity to accelerate action on the sustainable management, restoration and conservation of rangelands, while spotlighting the needs of pastoralist communities who depend directly on these ecosystems for their livelihoods.Rangelands cover more than half of the Earth’s land surface, support the direct livelihoods of around 500 million people and provide one-sixth of the world’s nutrition needs, yet remain among the planet’s most overlooked and increasingly degraded ecosystems.During the two-week conference, participants will engage in a high-level segment including ministerial dialogues, alongside multistakeholder forums and thematic discussions on science–policy integration, innovation and solutions, tools and technologies, and financing. In addition to formal negotiations, COP17 is expected to catalyze collective action on rangelands, resilience and water, as well as food systems and soil health.In preparation for COP17, Mongolia has launched national initiatives linking land restoration with livelihoods and rural development, including the President-led “Billion Trees” National Campaign, initiated in 2021 and aiming to plant one billion trees by 2030. Mongolia has also expanded public engagement and youth participation through national dialogues and outreach activities, including the “Youth4Land” National Forum. Through the Mongolia Business Council, the COP17 Presidency has been engaging the country’s private sector in support of UNCCD’s Business 4 Land Initiative that aims to accelerate private sector action for sustainable land management.“Mongolia’s initiatives illustrate the kind of integrated land restoration and resilience approaches UNCCD COP17 seeks to advance. It aims to deliver stronger political momentum and practical outcomes – helping countries mobilize resources and strengthen partnerships to scale up land restoration and build resilience where it is needed most,” concluded Executive Secretary Fouad.For media enquiriesUNCCD Press Office: press@unccd.intAbout UNCCD The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the global vision and voice for land. We unite governments, scientists, policymakers, private sector and communities around a shared vision and global action to restore and manage the world’s land for the sustainability of humanity and the planet. Much more than an international treaty signed by 197 Parties, UNCCD is a multilateral commitment to mitigating today’s impacts of land degradation and advancing tomorrow’s land stewardship in order to provide food, water, shelter and economic opportunity to all people in an equitable and inclusive manner.

Nairobi / Bonn, 12 December 2025 – The Government of Kenya and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) today announced that Kenya will host the next global observance of Desertification and Drought Day, to be held on 17 June 2026 under the theme “Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore.” Taking place in Kenya, the 2026 observance will highlight the central role of the world’s rangelands in climate resilience, food and water security, biodiversity conservation and the cultural identity of pastoralist and Indigenous communities. Rangelands cover more than half of the Earth’s land surface and support the lives of two billion people, including 500 million pastoralists, who have stewarded these landscapes for generations Kenya’s decision to host the global observance was formally announced by Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa, who extended a warm invitation to the international community to join Kenya next year:  “On behalf of the Government of Kenya allow me to extend a warm invitation to all. Next year, Kenya has the honour of hosting the Global Observance of the World Desertification and Drought Day. We warmly welcome all Member States, our partners, civil society and young people to join us as we shine a global spotlight on drought resilience, land restoration and the communities whose lives and livelihoods are shaped by these challenges.” She added that “the presence of participants will not only enrich the observance but also reaffirm our shared commitment to safeguarding the world’s drylands and supporting the people who depend on them. As we celebrate the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, we hope the global community will stand with Kenya in recognising the immense value of these landscapes and those who steward them. We look forward to welcoming you to Kenya — as we rally the world to act on drought before drought acts on us.” UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad said: “We thank the Government of Kenya for hosting Desertification and Drought Day 2026 and for shining a spotlight on the world’s rangelands. These landscapes are vital for food, water, biodiversity and climate resilience. Kenya’s leadership comes at a crucial moment, as rangelands face increasing pressure worldwide. By recognising their value, respecting their traditional stewards and restoring rangelands back to health, we can strengthen the livelihoods of two billion people.”   She added that “up to half of the world’s rangelands are degraded, with some disappearing faster than rainforests, placing food security, water availability and pastoralist cultures at risk” Rangelands remain among the planet’s most undervalued ecosystems, despite their vast extent and critical importance. The degradation of these landscapes threatens biodiversity, climate regulation, and the economies of countries that depend heavily on livestock production and grazing systems. UNCCD’s recent technical assessments highlight that investing in rangeland restoration can generate returns of up to USD 35 for every USD 1 invested, due to the combined ecological and socio-economic benefits Coinciding with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, the 2026 Desertification and Drought Day observance will draw global attention to the need to recognise and value rangelands for the critical functions they provide, respect the traditional stewards who have cared for them for generations, and restore degraded landscapes to secure livelihoods and ecosystem services.  Through 2026 Desertification and Drought Day, countries and communities are invited to: Recognize: rangelands’ economic contribution to national and regional economies; their role in sustaining biodiversity and wildlife; and the multiple benefits they provide, from regulating water cycles to storing carbon. Respect: pastoralists, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, whose mobility, customary governance systems and ecological knowledge are essential to maintaining the health and productivity of these landscapes. Restore: rangelands by investing in sustainable land and water management, strengthening governance, improving drought preparedness and supporting community-led restoration efforts. Desertification and Drought Day, marked every year on 17 June, is the United Nations’ global moment to raise awareness of land degradation and drought, and to mobilize action to protect and restore healthy land. Desertification and Drought Day 2026 in Kenya will be the first time in nearly a decade that the African continent will host this important global observance. Previous observances took place in Colombia (2025), Germany (2024), USA (2023), Spain (2022), Costa Rica (2021), Republic of Korea (2020), Türkiye (2019), Ecuador (2018), Burkina Faso (2017) and China (2016). For more information, please contact:   UNCCD Press Office press@unccd.int;   https://www.unccd.int/events/desertification-drought-day/2026 About Desertification and Drought Day    Officially declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1994 (A/RES/49/115), Desertification and Drought Day, marked annually on 17 June, is a unique occasion to highlight practical solutions to combating desertification, land degradation and drought.  Countries around the world are mobilizing to mark Desertification and Drought Day with an array of educational, cultural and sporting activities.  About UNCCD   The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the global vision and voice for land. We unite governments, scientists, policymakers, private sector and communities around a shared vision and global action to restore and manage the world’s land for the sustainability of humanity and the planet. Much more than an international treaty signed by 197 parties, UNCCD is a multilateral commitment to mitigating today’s impacts of land degradation and advancing tomorrow’s land stewardship in order to provide food, water, shelter and economic opportunity to all people in an equitable and inclusive manner.   

New evidence shows rangelands are degrading faster than rainforests in some regions, despite bringing multiple benefits and sustaining two billion people Bonn/Panama City, 4 December 2025 – Stretching from the drylands of Latin America and Africa to the steppes of Central Asia, rangelands underpin food security, climate stability and centuries-old pastoral cultures. These vast landscapes, covering half the planet, store significant carbon, buffer climate extremes, and regulate water in some of the world’s driest regions.  Yet, despite their immense value, rangelands remain one of the planet’s most overlooked ecosystems. In several regions, they are now deteriorating faster than rainforests--with serious implications for food security, climate resilience, and rural livelihoods. Restoring rangelands delivers some of the strongest returns of any ecosystem investment, with benefits reaching up to USD 35 for every dollar invested.  These new preliminary findings of a global cost–benefit analysis conducted by the Economics of Land Degradation (ELD) Initiative were presented today at this year’s UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) meeting underway in Panama — the 23rd session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC23). UNCCD Chief Scientist Barron Joseph Orr explains: “The analysis confirms what many pastoralist communities have long known: rangelands are strategic ecological and economic assets, not marginal lands. These gains come from higher vegetation productivity, deeper carbon storage, stronger water retention, and avoided degradation.” “The urgency is evident. Between 25 and 50 per cent of the world’s rangelands are degraded or at risk, weakening water cycles, livestock productivity, biodiversity and rural livelihoods. In regions such as the Sahel, Central Asia and parts of South America, climate pressures are already shrinking productivity and restricting pastoralist mobility - with knock-on effects for food security,” Orr said. Mark Schauer, Senior Programme Officer with the German Development Cooperation (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, GIZ), which coordinates the ELD Initiative, said: “Rangeland restoration makes economic and ecological sense. By strengthening the evidence base and partnering with pastoralist communities, we can help countries design investments that unlock long-term resilience.” For more than a decade, the ELD Initiative has equipped governments with evidence on the real economic value of healthy land - and the steep losses caused by degradation. Its new discussion paper, The Business Case for Investment in Rangeland Restoration, presented at CRIC23, will be followed by a full assessment at UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia next August.  “A growing body of evidence confirms that rangelands — long dismissed as marginal or ‘empty' spaces — are in fact central to climate action, food and water security and sustainable rural development. With the full economic assessment expected ahead of COP17, CRIC23 has strengthened the technical and political foundations needed to scale up investment in these vast, life-sustaining landscapes,” adds Schauer. Experts stressed that effective rangeland restoration does not depend on costly engineering. It requires secure land and water rights, community-led governance and sustainable, mobility-based grazing. When pastoralists can move with seasonal conditions, vegetation rebounds faster, soils hold more moisture and carbon stocks remain stable. This approach also strengthens the resilience of Indigenous Peoples, women, youth and others whose livelihoods and cultural identities are deeply tied to rangelands. CRIC23 takes place as countries prepare for the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) 2026, declared by the United Nations General Assembly. The IYRP is expected to bring unprecedented visibility to rangelands, pastoralists and their knowledge systems. “Pastoralists have cared for these lands for generations. Their knowledge, mobility and stewardship are essential for restoring rangelands and building resilience. As the world prepares for the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, we must ensure that pastoralist communities are not only heard but also supported as partners in climate and environmental sustainability actions,” said Enrique Michaud, Co-Chair of the IYRP Global Alliance. “Mongolia is a nation shaped by rangelands and pastoral traditions. We know from experience that when rangelands thrive, communities thrive. As we prepare to host COP17, our one of high priorities is to elevate rangelands on the global agenda and ensure that countries have the evidence, partnerships and investment needed to restore these vital ecosystems at scale.” notes Ariuntuya Dorjsuren, Director General for International Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Environment and Climate change, NFP of Mongolia. UNCCD is contributing to IYRP through its Rangeland Flagship Initiative and the Silk Road campaign planned for 2026, which will showcase rangeland landscapes and pastoralist cultures across the 6,000-kilometer journey spanning 10 countries. These efforts build on political momentum from COP16 in Riyadh to COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, aligning recent and upcoming COP Presidencies around elevating rangelands as a global climate and livelihood priority. List of resources GLO Thematic Report on Rangelands and PastoralistsPrioritizing the protection of grasslands and savannahsEconomics of rangeland restoration

The 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) will be hosted by Mongolia in its capital city, Ulaanbaatar, from 17 to 28 August 2026.   This landmark global event will bring together delegates from 197 Parties, heads of state, ministers, representatives from international organizations, scientific communities, civil society and the private sector to forge solutions to the interconnected challenges of desertification, land degradation and drought.  Mongolia, with a vast territory of 1.56 million square kilometers, is experiencing land degradation across approximately 76.9 per cent of its land. Recognizing the critical role of land management in addressing the triple environmental crisis, the country has become a key voice in global efforts to combat desertification and enhance land resilience. Mongolia's ambitious development agendas—particularly its interconnected national movements on environment and agriculture—position the country as a strategic host for COP17 of the UNCCD. COP17 will be convened in alignment with the United Nations International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026), offering a crucial global opportunity to highlight sustainable rangeland management and the needs of more than one billion people who directly depend on these vital ecosystems for their livelihoods. During the two-week conference, participants will engage in a high-level segment that includes ministerial dialogues, along with multi-stakeholder forums and thematic discussions on science–policy integration, innovation, solutions, technology and financing. The event is expected to foster impactful collaboration and action across sectors, advancing the goals of sustainable land management, ecosystem and land restoration and the implementation of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets. To build momentum toward COP17 and increase public awareness and youth engagement, Mongolia has already launched a series of national initiatives. One key upcoming event is the “Youth4Land” national forum, scheduled for 16–17 June 2025 in Mandalgovi city, Dundgovi Province, in observance of Desertification and Drought Day. This forum will bring together over 100 young herders, researchers and policymakers to co-develop sustainable land solutions rooted in traditional knowledge and scientific evidence. This national initiative is part of the country’s efforts to implement outcomes from previous UNCCD COPs and promote inclusive participation. Mongolia's strong development and environmental agenda — including the national 'Billions of Trees' movement, the 'White Gold' community-based rural development initiative and the 'Food Revolution' agri-soil initiative — positions the country as a regional and global model of action. Hosting COP17 will provide a historic opportunity to elevate international cooperation on land, climate and biodiversity to a new level.  This pivotal conference will mark a significant step forward in uniting the world around solutions to land degradation and climate challenges, solidifying Mongolia’s contribution to building a sustainable and resilient future for all. For more information, please contact: UNCCD Press Office: press@unccd.int,  https://www.unccd.int, @unccd Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Mongolia: https://www.mecc.gov.mn About UNCCD  The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is an international agreement on good land stewardship. It helps people, communities and countries create wealth, grow economies and secure enough food, clean water and energy by ensuring land users an enabling environment for sustainable land management. Through partnerships, the Convention’s 197 parties set up robust systems to manage drought promptly and effectively. Good land stewardship based on sound policy and science helps integrate and accelerate achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, builds resilience to climate change and prevents biodiversity loss.  https://unccd.int About the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists  On the initiative of Mongolia, the United Nations General Assembly has designated 2026 the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026) to enhance rangeland management and the lives of pastoralists. With this declaration, UN Member States are called upon to invest in sustainable rangeland management, to restore degraded lands, to improve market access by pastoralists, to enhance livestock extension services and to fill knowledge gaps on rangelands and pastoralism. The IYRP 2026 will coincide with the UNCCD COP17 to be hosted by Mongolia.  https://iyrp.info  

For centuries, rangelands and pastoralist communities have been the backbone of cultures, economies and ecosystems around the world. Covering more than half of the Earth's land surface, these vast landscapes support two billion people and contribute significantly to global food security and climate resilience. Yet they have remained largely invisible in international policy discussions, slowly degrading under the pressures of climate change, unsustainable land use and economic expansion.   At UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh, nations took a decisive step by adopting a decision on rangelands and pastoralists, marking an unprecedented commitment to protect these critical ecosystems and the people who depend on them. This commitment represents a fundamental shift, placing rangelands alongside forests and wetlands in global conservation efforts and ensuring that their role in climate resilience, biodiversity conservation and food security is fully recognized.   Why rangelands are more important than ever Rangelands and grasslands provide one-sixth of the world's food supply and store nearly one-third of the planet's carbon stocks in their deep-rooted soils. They are vital to smallholder herders, farmers and indigenous communities, yet more than 50 per cent of these ecosystems are now degraded.  As Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), warns, their decline is often overlooked: "When a forest is destroyed, the loss is visible and causes immediate concern. But rangeland degradation is silent, often unnoticed and undervalued." He emphasizes the urgent need for global action to protect these landscapes before it is too late.  Beyond their economic significance, healthy rangelands stabilize soil, prevent erosion, regulate water cycles, enhance biodiversity, and store carbon – essential functions in the fight against climate change. Yet, despite their immense ecological value, these landscapes have historically received far less attention and funding than forests and wetlands. Recognizing this oversight, the United Nations General Assembly has declared 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP), a global initiative designed to highlight the indispensable contributions of rangelands and pastoralist communities to our planet’s health and economies. A landmark decision at COP16 For the first time, UNCCD Parties adopted a decision to promote the sustainable management, restoration and conservation of rangelands – vast ecosystems used for grazing – ahead of COP17, which will be hosted by Mongolia in 2026.   Countries have pledged to improve pastoralists' land rights by aligning with international guidelines, strengthening legal protections and ensuring access to rangelands. The decision also emphasizes the value of Indigenous and local knowledge in sustainable land management, recognizing the role of traditional pastoral practices in conserving these ecosystems for future generations. Commitments were made to mobilize public-private partnerships, establish biodiversity credits and develop innovative financing models to ensure long-term investment.  This pivotal shift ends decades of neglect and places rangelands at the centre of global sustainability efforts. It aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration and strengthens their integration into national biodiversity and climate strategies and action plans. With Mongolia set to host UNCCD COP17 in 2026, the global community has a unique opportunity to cement rangelands as a key focus of environmental policy. Plans are already underway to develop a UNCCD Flagship Initiative on Rangelands, which will foster international cooperation, secure large-scale funding for restoration, and facilitate knowledge sharing between scientists and pastoral communities.    However, systemic challenges remain. Conflicting land use policies, economic pressures and a lack of formal recognition of pastoralists' rights continue to threaten rangeland sustainability. Many pastoralist communities face displacement due to land conversion, mining and large-scale agricultural projects that prioritize short-term economic gains over long-term ecosystem health. Addressing these issues requires an integrated approach that combines scientific research, policy reform and traditional land management.    Translating commitments into action   “The commitments at UNCCD COP16 mark a turning point, but success depends on sustained collaboration. Governments must work closely with pastoralists and livestock value chain agents, conservation groups and financial institutions, to scale up investment through sustainable financing and innovative tools.” said Enrique Michaud co-chair of the IYRP Global Alliance. "Securing pastoralists' land rights is crucial to prevent displacement and conflict, to ensure access to their traditional rangelands and to fortify the ecosystem services they provide." Sustainable rangeland and land-use planning must balance conservation efforts with the economic realities of pastoral livelihoods, promoting land management strategies that maintain ecosystem health while supporting local economies. Rangeland conservation must also be fully integrated into national and global climate adaptation strategies to ensure that these landscapes contribute to long-term resilience to climate change and desertification.   Ensuring rangeland sustainability is not just an environmental imperative – it is a necessity for climate security, food sovereignty and cultural preservation. As UNCCD Parties and partners prepare for COP17, the momentum generated at COP16 must be translated into real action.  About UNCCD The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is an international agreement on good land stewardship. It helps people, communities and countries create wealth, grow economies and secure enough food, clean water and energy by ensuring land users an enabling environment for sustainable land management. Through partnerships, the Convention’s 197 parties set up robust systems to manage drought promptly and effectively. Good land stewardship based on sound policy and science helps integrate and accelerate achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, builds resilience to climate change and prevents biodiversity loss. https://unccd.int About the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists On the initiative of Mongolia, the United Nations General Assembly has designated 2026 the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026) to enhance rangeland management and the lives of pastoralists. With this declaration, UN Member States are called upon to invest in sustainable rangeland management, to restore degraded lands, to improve market access by pastoralists, to enhance livestock extension services, and to fill knowledge gaps on rangelands and pastoralism. The IYRP 2026 will coincide with the UNCCD COP17 to be hosted by Mongolia. https://iyrp.info 

Rangelands cover 54 per cent of all land; as much as 50 per cent are degraded, imperilling 1/6th of humanity’s food supply, 1/3rd of Earth’s carbon reservoir UNCCD report points way to restore, better manage rangelands, urges protection of pastoralismBonn/Ulaanbaatar – Degradation of Earth’s extensive, often immense natural pastures and other rangelands due to overuse, misuse, climate change and biodiversity loss poses a severe threat to humanity’s food supply and the wellbeing or survival of billions of people, the UN warns in a stark report today.Authors of the Global Land Outlook Thematic Report on Rangelands and Pastoralists, launched in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), say up to 50 per cent of rangelands are degraded.Symptoms of the problem include diminished soil fertility and nutrients, erosion, salinization, alkalinization, and soil compaction inhibiting plant growth, all of which contribute to drought, precipitation fluctuations, and biodiversity loss both above and below the ground.The problem is driven largely by converting pastures to cropland and other land use changes due to population growth and urban expansion, rapidly rising food, fibre and fuel demands, excessive grazing, abandonment (end of maintenance by pastoralists), and policies that incentivise overexploitation.What are rangelands?The rangelands category of Earth’s land cover consists mostly of the natural grasslands used by livestock and wild animals to graze and forage.They also include savannas, shrublands, wetlands, tundra and deserts. Added together, these lands constitute 54 per cent of all land cover, account for one sixth of global food production and represent nearly one third of the planet’s carbon reservoir.“When we cut down a forest, when we see a 100-year-old tree fall, it rightly evokes an emotional response in many of us. The conversion of ancient rangelands, on the other hand, happens in ‘silence’ and generates little public reaction,” says UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw.“Sadly, these expansive landscapes and the pastoralists and livestock breeders who depend on them, are usually under-appreciated,” Mr. Thiaw adds. “Despite numbering an estimated half a billion individuals worldwide, pastoralist communities are frequently overlooked, lack a voice in policy-making that directly affects their livelihoods, marginalised, and even often seen as outsiders in their own lands.”Mongolia Environment Minister H.E. Bat-Erdene Bat-Ulzii says:“As custodian of the largest grasslands in Eurasia, Mongolia has always been cautious in transforming rangelands. Mongolian traditions are built on the appreciation of resource limits, which defined mobility as a strategy, established shared responsibilities over the land, and set limits in consumption. We hope this report helps focus attention on rangelands and their many enormous values – cultural, environmental, and economic –  which cannot be overstated. If these rangelands cannot support these massive numbers of people, what alternatives can they turn to?”Mongolia will host the 17th UNCCD Conference of the Parties meeting in 2026, the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP), declared by the United Nations General Assembly on Mongolia’s initiative.Two billion people – small-scale herders, ranchers and farmers, often poor and marginalised – depend on healthy rangelands worldwide.Indeed, in many West African states, livestock production employs 80 per cent of the population. In Central Asia and Mongolia, 60 per cent of the land area is used as grazing rangelands, with livestock herding supporting nearly one third of the region’s population.Ironically, the report underlines, efforts to increase food security and productivity by converting rangelands to crop production in mostly arid regions have resulted in degraded land and lower agricultural yields.The report calls out “weak and ineffective governance,” “poorly implemented policies and regulations,” and “the lack of investment in rangeland communities and sustainable production models” for undermining rangelands.An innovative approachThe new report’s 60+ expert contributors from over 40 countries agree that past estimates of degraded rangeland worldwide – roughly 25 per cent – “significantly underestimates the actual loss of rangeland health and productivity” and could be as much as 50 per cent.Rangelands are often poorly understood and a lack of reliable data undermines the sustainable management of their immense value in food provisioning and climate regulation, the report warns.The report details an innovative conceptual approach that would enable policy-makers to stabilise, restore and manage rangelands. The new approach is backed by experience detailed in case studies from nearly every world region, drawing important lessons from successes and missteps of rangeland management.A core recommendation: protect pastoralism, a mobile way of life dating back millennia centred on the pasture-based production of sheep, goats, cattle, horses, camels, yaks, llamas or other domesticated herbivores, along with semi-domesticated species such as bison and reindeer. Says Mr. Thiaw: “From the tropics to the Arctic, pastoralism is a desirable default – and often the most sustainable – option for that should be incorporated into rangeland use planning.”The economic engine of many countriesRangelands are an important economic engine in many countries and define cultures. Home to one quarter of the world’s languages, they also host numerous World Heritage Sites and have shaped the value systems, customs and identities of pastoralists for thousands of years.The report includes detailed analyses of individual countries and regions.For example, livestock production accounts for 19 per cent of Ethiopia’s GDP, and four per cent of India’s. In Brazil – which produces 16 per cent of the world’s beef – fully one-third of agribusiness GDP is generated by cattle livestock.In Europe, many rangelands have given way to urbanisation, afforestation and renewable energy production.In the United States, large tracts of grassland have been converted to crops, while some Canadian grasslands have been made fragile by large-scale mining and infrastructure projects.  There are also many positive notes such as, for example, growing efforts in both countries to reintroduce bison – an animal of great cultural importance to indigenous peoples – to promote rangeland health and food security.World areas most acutely affected by rangelands degradation, ranked in descending order:Central Asia, China, MongoliaThe replacement of government management and oversight with privatisation and agricultural industrialization left herders abandoned and dependent on insufficient natural resources causing widespread degradation.The gradual restoration of traditional and community-based pastoralism is leading to critical advances in sustainable rangeland management.North Africa and Near EastThe impact of climate change in one of the world’s driest regions is pushing pastoralists into poverty and degrading the rangelands on which they rely.Updated traditional institutions, such as Agdals – reservoirs of fodder used to feed animals in periods of critical need and allowing for the regeneration of natural resources – and incipient supportive policies are improving the way rangelands are managed.Sahel and West AfricaConflict, power balance and border issues have interrupted livestock mobility leading to rangelands degradation.Unified policies, recognition of pastoralists’ rights and cross-border agreements are reestablishing mobility for animal herders, crucial for landscape restoration.South AmericaClimatic change, deforestation linked to industrialised agriculture and extractive activities, and land use conversion are South America’s main drivers of rangeland degradation.Multifunctionality and diversity of pastoralist systems hold the key for restoring some of the most interesting rangelands in the world, including the Pampa, the Cerrado and Caatinga savannahs, and the Puno Andean systems.East AfricaMigration and forced displacement caused by competing uses of land (such as hunting, tourism, etc), are evicting pastoralists from their traditional lands, causing unanticipated degradation consequences.Women-led initiatives and improved land rights are securing pastoralists’ livelihoods, protecting biodiversity, and safeguarding the ecosystem services provided by rangelands.North AmericaThe degradation of ancient grasslands and dry rangelands threatens the biodiversity of iconic North American ecosystems such as the tall-grass prairies or the southern deserts.The incorporation of indigenous people to rangeland governance is a clear step to help recover these historic landscapes.EuropePolicies favouring industrial farming over pastoralism and misguided incentives are causing rangelands and other open ecosystems to be abandoned and degraded.Political and economic support, including legal recognition and differentiation, can turn the tide and help address critical environmental crises such as the rising frequency and intensity of wildfires and climate change.South Africa and AustraliaAfforestation, mining, and the conversion of rangelands to other uses are causing the degradation and loss of rangelands.The co-creation of knowledge by producers and researchers, and respect for and use of traditional wisdom held by indigenous communities, open new paths for restoring and protecting rangelands.Paradigm shiftHalting the deterioration requires a paradigm shift in management at every level – from grassroots to global, the report concludes.Pedro Maria Herrera Calvo, the report’s lead author, says: “The meaningful participation of all stakeholders is key to responsible rangeland governance, which fosters collective action, improves access to land and integrates traditional knowledge and practical skills”.Achieving “land degradation neutrality” (Sustainable Development Goal 15.3) – balancing the amount and quality of healthy land to support ecosystem services and food security – also requires cross-border cooperation. Pastoralists with generations of experience in achieving life in balance with these ecosystems should help inform this process at every step, from planning to decision-making to governance, the report noted. Solutions must be tailored to the characteristics and dynamics of rangelands, which vary widely from arid to sub-humid environments, as seen in West Africa, India or South America.The report notes that traditional assessment methods often undervalue the real economic contribution of rangelands and pastoralism, highlighting the need for the innovative approach recommended.Among key recommendations:Integrated climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies with sustainable rangeland management plans to increase carbon sequestration and storage while boosting the resilience of pastoralist and rangeland communitiesAvoid or reduce rangeland conversion and other land use changes that diminish the diversity and multifunctionality of rangelands, especially on indigenous and communal landsDesign and adopt rangeland conservation measures, within and outside protected areas, that support biodiversity above and below ground while boosting the health, productivity, and resilience of extensive livestock production systemsAdopt and support pastoralism-based strategies and practices that help mitigate harms to rangeland health, such as climate change, overgrazing, soil erosion, invasive species, drought, and wildfiresPromote supportive policies, full people’s participation and flexible management and governance systems to boost the services that rangelands and pastoralists provide  to the whole society.ADDITIONAL KEY FIGURES80 million sq. km: Area of the world’s terrestrial surface covered by rangelands (over 54 per cent)9.5 million sq. km: Protected rangelands worldwide (12 per cent)67 million sq. km (45 per cent of Earth’s terrestrial surface): Rangelands’ area devoted to livestock production systems (84 per cent of rangelands), almost half of which are in drylands.  Livestock provide food security and generate income for the majority of the 1.2 billion people in developing countries living under the poverty threshold1 billion: animals across more than 100 countries maintained by pastoralists, supporting 200 million households while providing about 10 per cent of world meat supply, as well as dairy, wool and leather products33 per cent: global biodiversity hotspots found in rangelands24 per cent: proportion of world languages found in rangelands5,000 years ago: When pastoralism first emerged as a land-use system in sub-Saharan AfricaREGIONAL FACTS & FIGURESOver 25 per cent and 10 per cent: Supply of world beef and milk, respectively, provided by Latin America’s cattle industryOver 25 per cent: GDP of Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Chad attributed to livestock productionOver 50 per cent: land in the Middle East and North Africa regions deemed degraded (25 per cent of arable land)60 per cent: area of Central Asia and Mongolia used as grazing rangelands, with livestock herding supporting nearly one third of the region’s population40 per cent: area of China covered by pastoral lands. (Notably, the country’s livestock population tripled between 1980 and 2010 to 441 million livestock units)308 million hectares: area of the contiguous United States covered by rangelands, 31 per cent of the country’s total land area, with ~55 per cent of rangelands privately ownedAdditional comments“Imbalance between the supply of and demand for animal forage lands leads to overgrazing, invasive species, and the increased risk of drought and wildfires – all of which accelerate desertification and land degradation trends around the world.”“We must translate our shared aspirations into concrete actions - stopping indiscriminate conversion of rangelands into unsuitable land uses, advocating for policies that support sustainable land management, investing in research that enhances our understanding of rangelands and pastoralism, empowering pastoralist communities to preserve their sustainable practices while also gaining tools to thrive in a changing world, and supporting all stakeholders, especially pastoralists, to implement measures that effectively thwart further degradation and preserve our land, our communities, and our cultures.”-       Maryam Niamir-Fuller, Co-Chair, International Support Group for the UN’s International Year for Rangelands and Pastoralists – 2026"For the sake of future generations and economic stability, we need to improve awareness of and safeguard the immense value of rangelands. Due to their dynamic nature, predicting the consequences of rangelands degradation on economics, ecology, and societies is challenging. Managers require authoritative insights into the response of rangelands to different disturbances and management approaches, including policy tools that better capture the broad social importance of rangelands."-       Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, CEO and Chairperson, Global Environment Facility “More than half of the world’s land mass is rangeland – and yet these landscapes and the people who inhabit and manage them have been largely neglected. They are a main source of food and feed for humanity, and yet they are also the world economy’s dumping ground.  It is time to shift perspective – from ‘a rangeland problem’ to ‘a sustainable rangeland solution’.”-       UN International Year of Rangelands & Pastoralists (IYRP) Working Group“Pastoralists produce food in the world’s harshest environments, and pastoral production supports the livelihoods of rural populations on almost half of the world’s land. They have traditionally suffered from poor understanding, marginalisation, and exclusion from dialogue. We need to bring together pastoralists and the main actors working with them to join forces and create the synergies for dialogue and pastoralist development.”- UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) “To have any chance of meeting global biodiversity, climate and food security goals, we simply cannot afford to lose any more of our rangelands, grasslands and savannahs. Our planet suffers from their ongoing conversion, as do the pastoralists who depend on them for their livelihoods, and all those who rely on them for food, water and other vital ecosystem services. The Global Land Outlook reinforces that too little political attention or finance is invested in protecting and restoring these critical ecosystems. National and sub-national authorities must take place-based action to safeguard and improve the health and productivity of rangelands, grasslands and savannahs – to benefit people and planet.” - Joao Campari, Global Food Practice Leader, WWF "The rangelands of the world sustain two billion small-scale herders, ranchers and farmers. They are a source of food and feed to the world, and their ecology contributes to biodiversity and carbon sequestration. Resilient as they are, today pastoral communities face compounding challenges where land degradation, driven by climate variability, poses a serious threat to both production and economic growth. Solutions with the full participation of pastoralists and flexible management and governance systems to boost the services that rangelands and pastoralists provide will benefit everyone. This report underscores the need for ongoing dialogue and actionable measures that can propel resilience and prosperity for pastoral communities across the world." - Midori Paxton, Nature Hub Director, United Nations Development Programme* * * * *About UNCCDThe United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is an international agreement on good land stewardship. It helps people, communities and countries create wealth, grow economies and secure enough food, clean water and energy by ensuring land users an enabling environment for sustainable land management. Through partnerships, the Convention’s 197 parties set up robust systems to manage drought promptly and effectively. Good land stewardship based on sound policy and science helps integrate and accelerate achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, builds resilience to climate change and prevents biodiversity loss.https://unccd.intAbout the International Year of Rangelands and PastoralistsOn the initiative of Mongolia, the United Nations General Assembly has designated 2026 the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026) to enhance rangeland management and the lives of pastoralists. With this declaration, UN Member States are called upon to invest in sustainable rangeland management, to restore degraded lands, to improve market access by pastoralists, to enhance livestock extension services, and to fill knowledge gaps on rangelands and pastoralism. The IYRP 2026 will coincide with the UNCCD COP17 to be hosted by Mongolia.https://iyrp.infoMedia contacts:Fragkiska Megaloudi, fmegaloudi@unccd.int; press@unccd.intXenya Scanlon, Chief of Communications, xscanlon@unccd.intTerry Collins, +1-416-878-8712 (m), tc@tca.tcPhotos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gff9kgOoUwCvcrMSw03GW2paDXdIvi7y, video: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/c5f3zdfvhqof9fs8tkmqs/Grasslands-Raw-Footage-for-MEDIA.mp4?rlkey=b4m572weemnhpnppgd9u6n0vb&e=1&dl=0