and Pastoral Communities in the Middle East and North Africa
International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026 MENA Regional Conference
Hammamet, Tunisia | 26–28 January 2026
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the Directorate General of Forests of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries of Tunisia, together with the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), the International Land Coalition (ILC), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Regional Office for West Asia and Mediterranean Cooperation, the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS), the League of Arab States (LAS), the Centre for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE), and the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD), convened regional and international stakeholders in Hammamet, Tunisia, to officially kick off the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) 2026 in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The Regional Conference brings together ministers, government representatives, regional institutions, technical experts, researchers, civil society organizations, and pastoralist groups to strengthen collaboration and advance sustainable rangeland management across the region and beyond. The conference marked the formal launch of the NENA IYRP Consortium and its Joint Action Agenda for 2026, laying the foundation for coordinated regional action throughout the International Year.
Over three days, the conference will provide a high-level platform to address rangeland governance, climate and biodiversity challenges, pastoralist rights, and opportunities for innovation and research. Through ministerial dialogues, technical sessions, peer learning exchanges, and a field visit to rangeland sites in Zaghouan, Tunisia, participants will explore integrated solutions to restore rangelands, strengthen pastoral livelihoods, and enhance resilience in dryland ecosystems in the MENA region.
High-level political engagement and regional alignment
The conference opened with a Ministerial Session, featuring H.E. Mr Ezzeddine Ben Cheikh, Minister of Agriculture of Tunisia; H.E. Dr Saeb Khreisat, Minister of Agriculture of Jordan; H.E. Ms Messouda Baham Mohamed Lagdhaf, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Mauritania; H.E. Mr Salem Abdullah Issa Al Soqotri, Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Fisheries of Yemen; Eng. Ahmed Saleh Aiadh, CEO of the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and Mohammad Shahbaz, Director General of the Royal Botanic Garden of Jordan.
Discussions focused on aligning rangeland governance with the three Rio Conventions on climate change, biodiversity, and desertification, recognizing rangelands as a cornerstone for food security, ecosystem restoration, and climate resilience in the region.
Rights, inclusion, research, and innovation
A dedicated day will focus on rights, inclusion, and innovation, highlighting the roles of women pastoralists and youth as future stewards of rangelands, strengthening pastoral rights, and addressing livelihood challenges and opportunities. The session focusing on MENA women pastoralists will also discuss the International Year of the Woman Farmer and the close links between these two international years. Sessions will explore cutting-edge research, regional knowledge gaps, and innovation pathways, with contributions from FAO, ICARDA, research institutions, and country representatives.
The conference will further spotlight ongoing initiatives across NENA countries that demonstrate how integrated, community-based, and science-driven approaches can restore rangelands while improving livelihoods.
Towards a shared regional agenda
The meeting will conclude with the adoption of the IYRP 2026 MENA Communiqué, outlining shared regional priorities, policy directions, and collaborative actions to guide implementation of the International Year in the region. The Communiqué will serve as a reference framework for governments, partners, and stakeholders working towards resilient rangeland systems and thriving pastoral communities.
This event will mark the launch of IYRP 2026 in MENA, with many more activities planned across the region and globally throughout 2026 to celebrate the Year. More information is available here.
READING
