[IYRPsupportgroup] Update on IYRP

[James O'Rourke]

Greetings All  -



For over 10 years rangeland people have been talking about obtaining a designation from the United Nations for an International Year of Rangelands.  That has expanded more recently into a request for an International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP).



Three years ago a Steering Committee was formed to address that issue.  More recently we have added more countries and pastoral representatives to that list.  As a result we are now referring to the group as an International Support Group (ISG) since our role will be to support a country led effort.



We welcome you all to the new ISG.  For those of you who are new to the effort, or for those of you who would like to review the progress made over the years, please take a look at our website: https://globalrangelands.org/international-year-rangelands-and-pastoralists-initiative.



Most recently the following activities have taken place:



I.                    Submission of resolution to FAO's Committee of Agriculture (COAG):



                      * The Government of Mongolia submitted a request to COAG for an IYRP

                      * COAG accepted the request and has now asked for a full proposal that will be considered and voted on at the 2020 COAG meeting

                      * Government officials in Mongolia will be meeting later this month about the  proposal and related issues

                      * We now have 18 months to gain support of other countries for the Mongolia proposal



II.                  Raising awareness



                    * One of the ways we are doing that is to target key international meetings and conferences where we could hold visibility raising events. Many of these past and  upcoming events are

                        listed on our website, and we welcome your involvement in  them, or welcome your additions to the list.



                       Of particular note is the upcoming UNEA-4 (4th meeting of the United Nations Environment Assembly).  The main theme will be innovative solutions for environmental challenges, and

                       sustainable consumption and production. We aim to raise awareness on the innovativeness of pastoralists and the need for an IYRP at  UNEA, so as to support the process going through

                       COAG. Several events and activities are in planning stage at the moment.  Including:



** An application to hold an official side event (2 hour session) has been submitted by the Government of Kenya (through KALRO) during which confirmed keynote

      speakers will be : Minister of Environment of Mongolia, Dr. Dana Kelly President of IRC, and Dr. Kathrine Johnson main author of the GRID-Arendal/UNEP Gap Analysis

      Report.  Other panelists will also be invited. The general concept for this event is attached.

** Several partners have agreed to sponsor pastoralists to come to the side event:  Yolda/Roads Less Travelled, ILRI, IUCN.



                                                ** The Society for Range Management has contributed $5000. This would be used primarily for the side event costs (simultaneous translation; pastoral food; photos and

                                                      displays, etc.).



                                               ** There are several good ideas for ministerial statements and luncheons and exhibits, including videos, photo exhibit, and the Roads Less Travelled exhibit of rangeland

                                                      biodiversity using felt flowers. We will keep you updated on these. Maryam Niamir-Fuller (mniafull2 at gmail.com) is coordinating these activities for UNEA-4 so

                                                      please contact her if you wish to be involved or want more information.



III.                ISG Immediate action:



                     * We will be contacting everyone on the ISG in the New Year to find a convenient date for a conference call to discuss next steps.



                     * In the meantime, please review the list of upcoming events (see attached) and we would appreciate you letting us know if you will be attending any of them.



                     * Please consider how your organization could support these efforts; are you planning to attend them?  Even small contributions will be a help.



And now for some housekeeping on how to use this group mailing list:



*If you are having a conversation with one person please do not email the whole group -  only use the group mailing for emails of interest to all members.



* Though we appreciate  the hard work that everyone is doing, please refrain from sending emails to the whole group thanking senders for emails as this blocks up everyone's

     inboxes. If you feel you must thank someone for an email then please do it individually!


 * If you do not want to be part of the list then please let us know and we can remove your name.





Cheers and Happy Holidays!  Jim O'Rourke


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