Mogadishu, Somalia - The initiative underscores the collaborative efforts to revitalize pastoral livelihoods and enhance long-term resilience for Somali pastoral communities.

The Federal Government of Somalia, under the leadership of Ministry of Livestock, Forestry and Range, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today unveiled the Future of Pastoralism, a joint transformative initiative designed to fundamentally reshape pastoral livelihoods in Somalia’s arid and semi-arid lands.

Developed in response to intensifying climate shocks, recurrent droughts, and land degradation, the initiative will deliver sustainable, scalable, and locally owned solutions that address the root causes of vulnerability among pastoral communities. It brings together the Ministry of Livestock, Forestry and Range and strategic partners including Action Against Hunger, International Organization for Migration (IOM), World Health Organization (WHO), and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), to kick-start coordinated implementation in 2025.

In his opening remarks, Minister of the Ministry of Livestock, Forestry and Range, H.E. Hassan Hussein Mohamed noted that, “The launch of the Future of Pastoralism is a turning point in how we serve our communities. For the first time, we are bringing coordinated, lasting services to the places that need them most, not as short-term projects, but as part of a national strategy. We thank our partners for walking this path with us.” 

Delivering the keynote address, H.E. Hon. Abdisalam Abdi Ali, Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia, stated, “This initiative is not just about responding to crisis, but about changing the trajectory of entire communities. We are moving beyond survival. The Future of Pastoralism is the cornerstone of a new national vision where pastoralists thrive in the face of recurrent shocks.”

The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia George Conway remarked, “Pastoralism is the livelihood and way of life of the Somali people. The initiative is also a consolidated, long-term response that represents a new model grounded in government leadership, community ownership, and collaborative action. This is the kind of venture needed to shift from crisis response to long-term resilience driven by system thinking.”

At the heart of the initiative are Pastoralist Development Hubs (PDHs). These hubs will function as integrated service centres that will deliver mobile and fixed veterinary care, multipurpose water points, livestock markets, managed grazing reserves, and community-led training facilities. These hubs are set to transform how services are accessed in remote areas with a systems development approach along the livestock trade routes, placing local needs at the centre of delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the collaborating agencies, FAO Representative in Somalia Etienne Peterschmitt commented, “With this joint transformative initiative, we are investing in a future where pastoralist communities have the infrastructure, services, and policy environment necessary to build lasting resilience. It’s a vision grounded in partnership, innovation, and impact.”

The Future of Pastoralism is one of several Joint Transformative Initiatives (JTIs) being rolled out by FAO in Somalia, in collaboration with federal ministries and development actors. Each JTI is designed to reduce dependence on long-term humanitarian intervention and unlock development potential across Somalia’s productive sectors and rural economies. The initiative is built on learnings around pastoral ecosystems and applies a modular, scalable approach that aligns with National Transformation Plan (2025 – 2029).

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

FAO in Somalia

Masimba Nyamanhindi | Communications Specialist | [email protected]