UPCOMING EVENTS
Why mobility matters
Mobility is life for 500 million pastoralists across the world. Their seasonal movement across 40% of the Earth’s land surface sustains one of the planet’s most adaptive and climate-smart land-use systems.
From the Sahel to Central Asia, pastoralists regenerate rangelands through movement — restoring soils, enriching biodiversity, dispersing seeds, protecting water sources, storing carbon, and reducing wildfire risk. In Africa alone, 268 million pastoralists contribute up to 44% of national GDPs, feeding economies and ecosystems at once.
But despite its immense ecological, economic, and cultural value, pastoral mobility is under threat. Outdated laws, fencing, land grabs, and rigid policies increasingly restrict movement, while climate shocks, insecurity, and economic pressures push communities into growing precarity. When mobility is blocked, rangelands degrade, conflicts rise, and livelihoods collapse.
2026
A Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity
The year 2026 brings a global turning point.
Under the leadership of Mongolia, the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) will shine overdue light on the people and landscapes that keep our planet resilient. At the same time, UNCCD COP17 presents a critical policy moment to secure land rights and mobility that have long been ignored.
The UNCCD has already recognised the link between tenure security and land degradation neutrality. New global decisions and evidence — including the Global Land Outlook on Rangelands and Pastoralists — open a historic window for governments to act.
WHAT WE WANT
Recognise pastoral mobility in legal and policy frameworks
Catalyse investment in rangelands
Shift narrative on mobility as a nature-based solution and land governance model
Protect mobility. Recognise it in law. Invest in it as a solution for climate, peace, and restoration.
National-level campaigns coming in 2026!
DATA THAT MOVES POLICY
Pastoralists manage land differently — and traditional indicators miss the point.
That’s why ILC, working with pastoralist members, developed the first indicators designed to monitor rangelands and mobile livelihoods.As ILC members, technical specialists, and partners work to generate this missing evidence, we call on governments donors and development actors to join these efforts — using pastoralist-relevant data to shape smarter, fairer, and more grounded land policies.Help generate the data that puts pastoralists on the policy map!
Explore the indicators!
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ON PASTORALISTS AND RANGELANDS
Mobility Matters because the future of rangelands — and our shared planet — depends on it
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