The Mongolian delegation at the UN Convention to Combat Desertification Conference of the Parties (UNCCD COP16) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has recently called for the formation of a world-first ‘Coalition of Rangeland States’. The new coalition would protect and promote the interests of rangelands and rangelands people and has been welcomed as ‘an essential step forward’ for sustainable land management by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).
Rangelands—diverse landscapes covering up to 54 per cent of the world’s land surface—play a vital role in global ecosystems. These often-overlooked landscapes support grazing livestock, biodiversity, carbon storage, water conservation and dust storm prevention. They also represent a critical lifeline for pastoralist communities, which comprise around 200 million households worldwide and contribute 10 per cent of the global meat supply. Yet, despite their significance, rangelands have long been overshadowed by other biomes in global climate policies and initiatives.
Why rangelands need urgent action
As much as 50 per cent of the world’s rangelands are degraded due to invasive species, land-use changes and unsustainable practices. This degradation not only threatens local livelihoods but also undermines the planet’s ability to combat climate change. With rangelands housing one third of Earth’s carbon reservoir and half of the remaining ecologically intact landscapes, their preservation is crucial for mitigating biodiversity loss and stabilising global ecosystems.
“Rangelands are indispensable to global food security and the livelihoods of millions, yet they have historically received insufficient attention and investment,” said Fiona Flintan, Senior Scientist, Rangelands and Pastoralism at ILRI.
A step towards global collaboration
The proposed Coalition of Rangeland States would strengthen efforts to restore degraded rangelands and support pastoralist communities in adopting sustainable livestock practices. ILRI’s GEF-funded Sustainable Investments for Large-Scale Rangeland Restoration (STELARR) project highlights how international collaboration and targeted research can transform these ecosystems, creating opportunities for sustainable land management and improved food security.
According to Flintan, “greater investment and collaboration among rangeland states could unlock significant opportunities to restore these ecosystems, strengthen pastoralist livelihoods and ensure sustainable land management in the face of mounting climate challenges.”
Paving the way to 2026 with the coalition of rangeland states
The formation of the coalition would represent a pivotal moment for rangelands as the world moves towards the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists in 2026. This initiative could ensure rangelands receive the recognition and support they need to thrive, enabling them to contribute more effectively to the global fight against climate change and food insecurity.
“The Mongolian delegation’s call is an essential step forward in addressing an urgent global need,” Flintan said. “It’s also an important milestone on the road to the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026.”
By forming the Coalition of Rangeland States, the global community can safeguard and restore rangelands, empower pastoralists and promote sustainable land management for future generations.