Tehran - Iran will participate in the 2026 International Rangelands and Pastoralists event in Hungary, following the United Nations’ designation of 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, a senior official announced.

 

Abolghasem Hosseinpour, Director General of the Rangelands Affairs Office at the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization, said national planning is underway to promote sustainable rangeland management and highlight the strategic importance of rangelands at the national and international levels.

 

He noted that rangelands cover more than 50 percent of Iran’s land area, much of which remains underutilized. Hosseinpour stressed that recurring droughts, declining rainfall, soil erosion, and rising flood risks have made scientific rangeland management increasingly urgent.

 

The official added that rangelands are vital to food security, biodiversity, and the conservation of plant genetic resources.

 

Hosseinpour said the main international conference will be held in August 2026 in Hungary, with Iran participating through expert proposals. He also noted that efforts are underway to register a World Rangelands Day internationally, while domestically Iran is pursuing the designation of May 15 as National Rangelands Day.