June 9–13, 2026 | Ulaanbaatar and Bornuur Soum, Tuv Province, Mongolia
As part of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026), proclaimed by the United Nations, an international policy dialogue entitled “Transforming Rangeland Governance through Multi-Stakeholder Engagement” was jointly organized by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry (MOFALI), the National Land Coalition of Mongolia (NLC Mongolia), the International Land Coalition (ILC), and partner organizations.
The event brought together representatives from 16 countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe, including government officials, international organizations, civil society organizations, herders, and pastoralist communities. Participants exchanged experiences and discussed policy solutions related to sustainable rangeland management, land governance, pastoralists’ rights, and climate change adaptation.
The dialogue was officially opened by H.E. Ts. Iderbat, Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia, who highlighted that Mongolia's initiative to designate 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists had received support from 102 countries and more than 400 non-governmental organizations worldwide.
The opening ceremony was also attended by Mr. Jaap van Hierden, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Mongolia, Ms. Marcy Vigoda, Director of the International Land Coalition, and other distinguished guests.
Throughout the dialogue, participants emphasized the importance of ensuring meaningful participation of herders and pastoralist communities in rangeland governance, safeguarding traditional knowledge and nomadic cultural heritage, strengthening the capacities of pasture user organizations, and promoting community-based rangeland management at the local level.
The discussions also focused on sharing regional and international good practices in addressing climate change, land degradation, and biodiversity loss, while identifying opportunities to strengthen cross-regional cooperation and partnerships.
As part of the programme, a field visit was organized to Bornuur Soum in Tuv Province, where international participants had the opportunity to learn about Mongolia's traditional nomadic livestock production systems, community-based herder organizations, local rangeland management practices, and the rich cultural heritage of Mongolian pastoral communities.
The visit provided valuable opportunities for direct exchanges with local herders, Pasture User Groups (PUGs), and other stakeholders, highlighting practical experiences in collective rangeland management and community-led initiatives for sustainable pastoral livelihoods.
The international policy dialogue marked an important step toward promoting inclusive and participatory rangeland governance, strengthening the role of herders and their organizations in policy and decision-making processes, protecting pastoralists' rights and interests, and facilitating the exchange of good practices in sustainable rangeland management at regional and global levels.
The event also contributed to advancing the objectives of IYRP 2026 by raising awareness of the essential contributions of rangelands and pastoralists to food security, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
Mongolian National Federation of Pasture User Groups (MNFPUG)
National Land Coalition of Mongolia (NLC Mongolia)
