In the context of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026 — declared by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness of the critical role rangelands and pastoral communities play in food security, biodiversity and climate resilience — the World Food Forum 2026 served as a platform for youth-led dialogue on the future of pastoralism.

Indigenous Peoples, including Indigenous Peoples nomadic and transhumant pastoralists at UNCCD COP17 shared a common message: mobility is a way of managing territories, sustaining food systems and restoring rangelands for future generations.

Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol highlights rangeland restoration, the Great Green Wall and the need to scale up investment

More than 400 participants from over 100 countries will gather in Mongolia to strengthen global cooperation on sustainable pastoralism ahead of UNCCD COP17

As part of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026, the Inter-Regional Summer School of Young Pastoralists took place in Kyrgyzstan. It brought together young pastoral leaders from across Asia and Africa to exchange knowledge, strengthen leadership skills, and promote sustainable pasture management.