On the 25^th to 27^th of September 2023, the first-ever Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation was organized by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome. Between 400 and 500 participants attended in person, including several pastoral representatives, such as the World Alliance of Mobile Indigenous People (WAMIP), putting forward the relevance of pastoralism to the topic of the conference and raising the pastoralists' voices in this high-level event.

During these three days, government representatives, experts, scientists, private sector representatives, civil society representatives and producers discussed solutions to transition towards a sustainable livestock sector. The sessions were organized thematically in alignment with the FAO Strategic Framework of the Four Betters: Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment and Better Life. The state of knowledge regarding several global issues related to livestock production was shared, such as the contribution of the livestock sector to greenhouse gas emissions, the importance of land use related to animal feed, water pollution, and potential health problems associated with high meat consumption. At the same time, several solutions were discussed and explored, like reducing feed/food competition, fighting against antimicrobial resistance, using genomics for the genetic improvement of breeds and increased productivity, and solutions for improved animal health. Some technological innovations and experiments were also discussed, such as cell-based foods and precision livestock production. The panellists insisted, however, on the importance of context-specific approaches and solutions.

Ilse Kohler-Rollerson at the Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation, Rome, 2023. @FAO

Pastoralism was highlighted several times as a livestock production system that is "part of the solution". Ilse Kohler-Rollerson, founder of the League for Pastoral Peoples and Indigenous Livestock Development, said that "pastoralists manage actually a much larger part of agricultural land than farmers do because two-thirds of agricultural land are actually not suitable for crop cultivation". She also highlighted pastoralists' capacity to be independent of fossil fuels and enhance national self-sufficiency by reducing dependence on feed imports and the international market in times of crisis. She also stressed the capacity of pastoralism to transform non-edible plants for humans into highly valuable proteins: "It just transforms what is already there into really highly valuable meat and milk. It is actually the most efficient way to produce protein." "I really urge the countries to support the small-holders and the pastoralists, and we need to realize the importance of pastoralism", she concluded. On the last day, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, president of the Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad, gave a compelling speech about the importance of pastoralism for resilience to climate change, carbon sequestration and soil fertilization. She stressed that "Being a pastoralist is not a commodity, it is not a business for us, but it is about living in harmony with nature." She emphasized the impact of climate change on pastoralism, especially though erratic water availability and called upon the participants to collaborate with pastoralists more. The role of pastoralists as keepers of livestock genetic diversity was also highlighted during the conference.

Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim at the Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation, Rome, 2023. @FAO

Between two plenary sessions, a side event organized jointly by the co-chairs of the International Steering Committee of the International Year of Camelids, Saudi Arabia and Bolivia was dedicated to the upcoming International Year, which will be held in 2024. The ambassador of Bolivia in Italy, Mrs Sonia Brito, stressed that camelids strongly contribute to cultural heritage and ecosystems and recalled that they are a source of food, clothes and transport for indigenous populations in various places. She also outlined the role of camelids in sustainable land use and land degradation and desertification reduction. "Camelids are an example of how traditional solutions can be essential in the search for a sustainable future.", she said.

In parallel to the high-level session, a Youth Dialogue was held, gathering about 100 youth from around the World to discuss the challenges of the livestock sector and challenges specific to youth. After three days of debates and working sessions, the participants prepared a statement presented at the Global Conference's closing session, calling for better inclusion and consideration of youth voices in decision-making. A speech that gave the impression that every voice had its place at this event.

 All the interventions were recorded and can be streamed again following the link of the event.