United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Proclaims 2026 as International Year for Rangelands, Volunteers, and Women Farmers

Key facts

• The United Nations (UN) declared 2026 as the 'International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP)' to highlight ecosystems that cover about half the world’s land.
• Through Resolution 78/127, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 2026 as the 'International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY)'.
• The United Nations (UN) declared 2026 the 'International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026)' to spotlight roles in agrifood systems.
• The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared the first-ever 'United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport' to run from 2026 to 2035.
• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reported a 'historic 10% decline in freedom of expression globally between 2012 and 2024'.
• The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released the 'Global Environment Outlook, Seventh Edition: A Future We Choose (GEO-7)' on 9 December 2025, involving 287 scientists from 82 countries.
• Slovenia, acting as President of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for December 2025, held an open debate on 'Leadership for peace' on 15 December 2025.
• The Republic of Sierra Leone, as President of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for November 2025, held a briefing on 18 November 2025 regarding 'Enhancing regional counter-terrorism cooperation in West Africa and the Sahel'.
• The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) released a new safety guide titled 'Monitoring for Protection of the Public and the Environment' to help countries design radiation monitoring programmes.
• The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/79/137 proclaiming 'World Meditation Day'.
• The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) launched a database compiling national laws and decrees governing meteorology and hydrology across all member nations.
• The World Bank released the 'World Development Report 2025: Standards for Development' to assess how standards accelerate economic development.