Global call to reposition pastoralism as a sustainable food system

The recent UNFSS+4 Intergovernmental Roundtable, 'Pastoralism: A Sustainable Food System,' brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to address the critical role of pastoralism in global food security and sustainable development. The event, hosted by the UNFSS Coalition on Pastoralism a Sustainable Food System, focused on elevating the importance of this often-overlooked food system and mobilizing support for its future.

Speakers from the African Union, AUDA-NEPAD, and organizations like ILRI and CGIAR highlighted pastoralism as a cornerstone of African food systems. They emphasized its contributions to food and nutrition security, its ecological value in managing vast rangelands, and its inherent resilience to climate change. The discussions moved beyond a traditional view of livestock production to recognize pastoralism's broader role in cultural heritage, landscape management, and economic growth. The coalition, founded by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB), has grown to include key international players, demonstrating the increasing recognition of pastoralism's value.

The roundtable also featured powerful voices from the field. Pastoralists from India, Senegal, and Kenya shared their experiences, including the challenges they face from land degradation and climate change, as well as their innovative solutions. They called for supportive policies, knowledge exchange, and increased public education. The dialogue then shifted to developing funding pathways, with representatives from Spain, Australia, the World Bank, and other international organizations sharing examples of inclusive policies, innovative financing models, and research initiatives that support pastoral communities.

Key takeaways
· Pastoralism is a cornerstone of resilient and sustainable food systems. It provides a vital source of food and income for millions, particularly in arid and semi-arid lands, and plays a crucial role in managing biodiversity and mitigating climate change.
· The system is under-recognized and under-invested. Speakers noted a significant gap in investment and policy support, which hinders the potential of pastoralism to contribute to global development goals. Only 4% of climate finance currently goes to this sector, despite its importance.
· Investments must be tailored and inclusive. To be effective, investments need to focus on infrastructure, access to financial services, supportive policies, and research and innovation that respect local contexts.
· The International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) 2026 is a key opportunity. The upcoming IYRP was positioned as a moment to globally elevate pastoralism, mobilize investment, and drive policy changes.

In their own words
'Investing in pastoralism is vital for food security, livelihoods, environmental sustainability, climate change, poverty reduction, economic growth and cultural preservation.' Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng, Director General, ILRI

'Pastoralism is missing from global food system and nutrition dialogue.' H.E. Ambassador Nosipho Nausca-Jean Jezile, Chairperson, UN Committee on World Food Security (CFS).

'Pastoralism is not a relic of the past; it is a resilient and adaptive food system that nourishes 268 million Africans and generates 40% of the agricultural GDP.' H.E. Dr. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, CEO, AUDA-NEPAD

'If you have livestock, you have dignity.' Ms. Bhavana Rabari, Pastoralist from India and Co-founder, Pastoralist Women Alliance (Pahel Foundation - PWA)

'The food system transformation needs to be inclusive in multi-stakeholder platforms for financial inclusivity.' Dr. Conrad Rein, Secretary, Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security

Looking ahead
The roundtable served as a launchpad for future action to sustain momentum and elevate pastoralism on the global stage. Three key follow-up actions were identified:
· Renew the AU Policy Framework for Pastoralism, targeting a revised version for adoption during the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) in 2026.
· Mobilize increased investment into pastoral systems through engagement in global forums such as the FAO Livestock Conference and World Bank meetings.
· Build visibility and momentum in the lead-up to IYRP 2026 and UNCCD COP17 to position pastoralism as a critical solution for climate, land, and food security.
The consensus was clear: by working together, stakeholders can unlock the investments pastoralism deserves and embed it firmly in the global food systems agenda.

Acknowledgement

The Roundtable was supported by the Sustainable Investments for Large-Scale Rangeland Restoration (STELARR) project, which is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), executed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and implemented by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI); and the Global Livestock Advocacy for Development (GLAD) project, funded by the Gates Foundation. ILRI thanks all its donors.

By Seifu, Haimanot (ILRI)