Pastoralism and the Post 2015 Agenda - Side Event Report

This dialogue was moderated by Dr. Maryam Niamir-Fuller, Special Advisor to the Executive Director on Post 2015/SDGs, UNEP. She described pastoralism as an extensive livestock production option in the rangelands and one of the most sustainable food systems on the planet. Pastoralists are stewards of more than a quarter of the world’s land, conserving rangeland biodiversity and protecting ecosystem services. Pastoralism is practiced by between 200 and 500 million people worldwide, many of whom are facing similar challenges in both developed and developing countries. Progress in pastoral areas generally falls behind that of other communities, creating poverty and vulnerability that undermine the sustainability of the ecosystem. Enabling conditions are needed for pastoralism to fulfil its potential in the Post 2015 Agenda.