In 2020, EU Member States as a bloc agreed to support the idea of an International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) in 2026, during the 27th session of the FAO Committee on Agriculture and the 165th session of the FAO Council meeting.
Although the initiative, initiated by the Government of Mongolia, was backed by all EU Member States, it now needs to get adopted during the 42nd session of the FAO Conference in July 2021 and then during the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2021.
Pastoralism is a traditional extensive practice in mountain areas that contributes to producing quality food products, protecting our unique biodiversity, keeping rural areas economically active and attractive. Yet, pastoralism is notably endangered by climate change effects and land abandonment.
Euromontana therefore supports the initiative to make 2026 the International Year of Rangelands & Pastoralists and hopes that it will contribute to raising awareness on the benefits of pastoral practices. Euromontana calls on the European Union to maintain its support to the initiative and on Member States to vote as a bloc in favour of the proposal at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2021.
In this context, the European Committee of the Regions’ NAT commission is organising on June, 14, 2021 the online conference “Pastoralism: A crucial tool to tackle with sustainability challenges in EU and beyond”, with the support of Yolda Initiative, Euromontana and IYRP Regional Support Group for Europe. More information will soon be available.
