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<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white">Greetings All -</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white"> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white">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).</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white"> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white">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.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white"> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white">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.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white"> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white">Most recently the following activities have taken place:</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white"> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsolistparagraph" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white">I.</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;background:white"> </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white">Submission
of resolution to FAO’s Committee of Agriculture (COAG):</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white"> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> • The Government of Mongolia submitted a request to COAG for an IYRP</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> • COAG accepted the request and has now asked for a full proposal that will be considered and voted on at the 2020 COAG meeting<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> • Government officials in Mongolia will be meeting later this month about the proposal and related issues<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> • We now have 18 months to gain support of other countries for the Mongolia proposal<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsolistparagraph" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">II.</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt"> </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Raising awareness</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsolistparagraph" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> • 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 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> listed on our website, and we welcome your involvement in them, or welcome your additions to the list.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> Of particular note is the upcoming UNEA-4 (4<sup>th</sup> meeting of the United Nations Environment Assembly). The main theme will be<span style="background:white"> innovative
solutions for environmental challenges, and <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white"> sustainable consumption and production. We aim to raise awareness on the innovativeness of pastoralists and the need for an
</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">IYRP at UNEA, so as to support the process going through
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> COAG. Several events and activities are in planning stage at the moment. Including:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">** 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 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> 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
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> Report. Other panelists will also be invited. The general concept for this event is attached.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white">** Several partners have agreed to sponsor pastoralists to come to the side event: Yolda/Roads Less Travelled, ILRI, IUCN.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white"> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white"> ** The Society for Range Management has contributed $5000. This would be used primarily for the side event costs (simultaneous
translation; pastoral food; photos and <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white"> displays, etc.).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white"> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white"> ** There are several good ideas for ministerial statements and luncheons and exhibits, including videos, photo exhibit, and the
Roads Less Travelled exhibit of rangeland <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white"> biodiversity using felt flowers. We will keep you updated on these. Maryam Niamir-Fuller (mniafull2@gmail.com) is coordinating
these activities for UNEA-4 so <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white"> please contact her if you wish to be involved or want more information.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white"> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsolistparagraph" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white">III.</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;background:white"> </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white">ISG Immediate
action:</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white"> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> • 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> • 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> • Please consider how your organization could support these efforts; are you planning to attend them? Even small contributions will be a help.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">And now for some housekeeping on how to use this group mailing list:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">*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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">* 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 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> inboxes. If you feel you must thank someone for an email then please do it individually!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> * If you do not want to be part of the list then please let us know and we can remove your name.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white"> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="m8103701984909245165xmsonormal" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white">Cheers and Happy Holidays! Jim O’Rourke</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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