HIGH-LEVEL EVENT HELD IN GENEVA TO MARK THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF RANGELANDS AND PASTORALISTS
The Permanent Mission of Mongolia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, in cooperation with the Liaison Office of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Geneva, organized a high-level event entitled “Rangelands and Pastoralists at the Crossroads of International Geneva: Advancing Rights, Health, Trade, Nutrition, Environment, Resilience and Sustainability” at the Palais des Nations, United Nations Office at Geneva, on 29 June 2026.
The event comprised a high-level policy dialogue and a cultural and artistic programme showcasing Mongolia’s nomadic culture, pastoral heritage and traditions.
The high-level policy dialogue was opened by H.E. Ms. Davaasuren Gerelmaa, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Mongolia, Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, H.E. Ms. Fancy Too, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya, Mr. Dominique Burgeon, Director of the FAO Liaison Office in Geneva, and Ms. Sonia Peña Moreno, Director of the Centre for Policy and Law of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The policy discussion brought together representatives of Uruguay, Switzerland, the World Trade Organization, the Swiss Farmers’ Union, the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement and the Geneva Environment Network. Participants exchanged views on sustainable rangeland management, pastoralists’ rights, animal health, food security, nutrition, sustainable trade, environmental protection, climate adaptation and resilience, highlighting the cross-sectoral relevance of rangelands and pastoralism to the work of International Geneva.
As part of the event, the Permanent Mission of Mongolia, in collaboration with Oir Art Hub, organized a cultural and artistic programme and exhibition. The programme opened with a performance by morin khuur musician and throat singer D.Mandakhjargal, followed by a Mongolian calligraphy demonstration by G.Uranchimeg. The exhibition featured a site-specific felt installation by E.Onongua, a photography series by Chrisel Attewell, contemporary mixed-media works by J.Ariuntuya, M.Munkh-Erdene, M.Narangerel, N.Zultsetseg, B.Belgutei, Aurelie Cornaz, and Mark and Rebecca Ford, as well as a performance by E.Ulziibat. Collectively, these artistic contributions offered a refined exploration of Mongolia’s nomadic civilization, pastoral heritage, and the profound interdependence between people, nature, and animals through diverse forms of contemporary artistic expression. Traditional Mongolian and Kenyan cuisine was also featured during the exhibition.
The event was attended by more than 100 participants, including representatives of United Nations entities, international organizations, diplomatic missions, research institutions, civil society, universities and international partners.
The high-level event reaffirmed Mongolia’s leadership in marking the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists and contributed to promoting Mongolia’s traditional and contemporary culture and arts on the international stage.