World Alliance of Mobile Indigenous Peoples & Pastoralists - WAMIP

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World Alliance of Mobile Indigenous Peoples & Pastoralists - WAMIP

WAMIP is an independent grassroot movement , global alliance of nomadic peoples and pastoralist communities and their organisations.

WAMIP is a social movement of grassroot organisations of nomadic peoples and communities sharing pastoralism as a livelihood strategy while conserving biological diversity and using diversity and using natural resources in a sustainable way. We represent customary forms of pastoralism and other forms of mobility as a livelihood strategy while conserving biological diversity and using natural resou

rces in a sustainable way. Since its establishment in 2003, WAMIP family has grown to 200 members in 48 countries. The primary members of WAMIP include the indigenous/mobile communities and their organisations. In 2013 and 2014 WAMIP consolidated and restructured its work through the formation of sub regional alliances. WAMIP now has alliances in 9 regions including North, Central, East and West Africa; Central, South, and West Asia; Latin America and Europe. WAMIP also substantiated its presence at the global level and played an important role in advocating for the rights of mobile, indigenous peoples, particularly the pastoralists. Due to continued advocacy and lobbying efforts of WAMIP in past years, the pastoralists are now recognized as a constituency alongside the peasants, fisher folks and other constituencies in the UN system and other international platforms. One of the most important outcomes has been the inclusion of the term "pastoralist‟ and "rangeland‟ in the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure (VGGT).

23/02/2026

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🔥 LAND IS NOT A COMMODITY. IT IS LIFE.

WAMIP part of IPC releases its Position Paper ahead of ICARRD+20 — and the message is clear: we need transformative agrarian reform NOW.

20 years after the first ICARRD, land, water, forests and oceans are increasingly controlled by corporations and financial powers. Dispossession, inequality and ecological collapse are accelerating. Peasants, Indigenous Peoples, fishers, pastoralists, rural women and workers are pushed out of their territories.

Voluntary commitments are not enough. We demand binding, redistributive agrarian reform grounded in food sovereignty, collective rights and agroecology.

📥 Download the Position Paper
Read it. Share it. Organise.

foodsovereignty.org

13/02/2026

As one of the participating organisations at the African Indigenous Pastoralist Gathering held in Nairobi, Kenya in January 2026, WAMIP is proud to share the concluding document, “Shepherding the Future: Building a Common African Indigenous Pastoralist Agenda”, also known as the Nairobi Call for Action.

Bringing together over 240 delegates from more than 20 African countries, this concluding document represents the voices of hope of Africa’s indigenous pastoralists, custodians who tend and manage nearly 43% of Africa’s landmass.

Within the context of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026, the Nairobi Call for Action outlines pastoralist demands across eight key action areas:

1️⃣ Recognition of pastoralists as rights holders, including self determination, customary governance, culture, and collective land rights.

2️⃣ Secure communal land tenure and protection of pastoral mobility, including cross border transhumance.

3️⃣Investments in pastoralist led rangeland management and strengthened livestock systems and markets.

4️⃣Climate and biodiversity policies that respect pastoral land rights and support pastoralist-led adaptation.

5️⃣ Recognition and protection of Indigenous knowledge systems, ensuring Free, Prior and Informed Consent.

6️⃣ Meaningful participation and leadership of pastoralist women and youth.

7️⃣Development of accurate, pastoralist centered data systems and community led innovation.

8️⃣ Direct and accessible financing for Indigenous and customary pastoralist communities.

WAMIP stands alongside African Indigenous pastoralists in advancing the Nairobi Call for Action and ensuring its priorities shape regional and global policy processes.

📌 The Nairobi Call for Action can be accessed through our Linktree.

10/02/2026

On 11 February 2026, WAMIP Global Coordinator Khalid Khawaldeh of the Dana Cooperative, Jordan, and WAMIP member Monicah Yator of the Indigenous Women and Girls Initiative, Kenya, will speak at a webinar co-organised by the Agroecology Coalition and the International Land Coalition titled “Agroecology & Land: The Role of Pastoralists to Protect Land & Combat Desertification.”

As per the FAO, rangelands cover around 54% of the Earth’s surface, of which 80% are managed by pastoralist systems. The International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) 2026 aims to raise awareness of the vital importance of rangelands and pastoralists as their frontline custodians. According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, current global food systems are the largest cause of terrestrial biodiversity loss.

Agroecological methods such as soil regeneration, diversification of crop and livestock production, and reduced dependency on external inputs provide a strong counter to land degradation.

This webinar brings together the voices of pastoralists, farmers, civil society groups, UN bodies, and policy-makers who are committed to promoting transitions towards agroecological food systems that support sustainable land management, combat desertification, and provide sustainable livelihoods for all.

As 2026 also marks the International Year of Women Farmers, Monicah Yator will begin by acknowledging not only the contribution and importance of pastoralists, but also the critical role of women agrarians in managing land and addressing climate change and desertification. Khalid Khawaldeh will speak on what sustainable livestock systems look like in the context of pastoralism, highlighting the importance of land tenure security and mobility for pastoralist systems to thrive.

Through its participation in this webinar, WAMIP reaffirms its commitment to amplifying pastoralist voices globally and advocating for rights-based, agroecological approaches that recognise pastoralists as key actors in protecting rangelands, sustaining food systems, and combating desertification.

📢 Registration link in our Linktree

Background 📷 courtesy: Man Fong Wong

02/02/2026

WAMIP members took part in the IYRP 2026 NENA Regional Conference, held in Hammamet, Tunisia (26–28 January 2026), bringing together governments, partners, and pastoralist voices to build a shared vision for sustainable rangelands and pastoral livelihoods across the Near East and North Africa.

Day 1 focused on climate action and adaptation. Mohamed Moemen Abdelkafi Moemen of Project Marsa Matrouh joined a panel on climate-resilient rangelands and pastoral systems, placing pastoralism at the heart of regional adaptation efforts. Women pastoralists also took the stage to underline the importance of advancing inclusivity and empowering women and youth within pastoral systems. Alongside high-level discussions, pastoralists from across the region showcased the rich diversity of food and non-food products from rangelands, from dairy and honey to wool, leather, and herbal goods, highlighting the economic, cultural, and ecological value of pastoral livelihoods.

Day 2 spotlighted rights, inclusion, and governance. In a session moderated by , Khalid Khawaldeh highlighted the critical link between recognition of pastoralists’ land rights and the ability to secure sustainable livelihoods.

The conference concluded with a field visit to Zaghrouan, where participants engaged with local agrosilvopastoral rangelands and learned directly about grazing techniques and landscape management.

The Regional Conference closed with the release of the Regional Consortium’s Communiqué, built around seven key pillars:
• Inclusive governance
• Safeguarding mobility
• Scaling restoration
• Increasing data and monitoring
• Investment
• Resilience
• Research and innovation

Through active participation across panels, dialogues, and field learning, WAMIP continues to support pastoralist-led priorities and regional collaboration shaping the future of rangelands in NENA.

📸 Photo #5 to #8 courtesy: FAO in Near East and North Africa

02/02/2026

Between 23–24 January, Tezera Getahun, WAMIP Regional Coordinator for East and Southern Africa and Executive Director of the Pastoralist Forum Ethiopia (PFE), co-hosted the IYRP 2026 Familiarisation Workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Representation of Ethiopian pastoralists, over 12 million people largely from Afar, Oromo, and Somali communities, is especially important, as they manage nearly 60% of the country’s land.

The workshop aimed to:
✳️ Create awareness of the IYRP among a wider range of pastoralist and pastoral stakeholders

✳️ Draw lessons from pastoral and rangelands development in Ethiopia

✳️ Recommend future directions for pastoral and rangelands development

✳️ Propose submissions for global IYRP 2026 actions and the August 2026 inauguration in Mongolia

The two-day workshop brought together representatives from government, pastoral communities, civil society, researchers, and resource partners, strengthening national coordination and contributing to the IYRP process. Discussions highlighted the blending of customary knowledge with climate-smart rangeland solutions to protect and transform pastoral livelihoods across the Horn of Africa.

The workshop also marked the formal establishment of a National IYRP Chapter in Ethiopia, creating a platform to bring diverse actors together to strengthen coordination, policy alignment, and outreach throughout the Year.

Through WAMIP’s engagement, pastoralist voices continue to shape national and global processes for rangelands and pastoral futures.

📸 Photos courtesy: FAO Ethiopia

26/01/2026

WAMIP Regional Coordinator Benjamin Mutambukah (ESAPN) has been keeping the Global Secretariat closely updated on the strong and grounded start of the African Indigenous Pastoralist Gathering being held in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Gathering opened with a prayer led by pastoralist elders, followed by the opening ceremony where WAMIP members Monicah Yator and Venomukona Tjiseua joined the cultural dance.

WAMIP voices were prominent in the policy discussions, with Edward Porokwa of PINGO’s Forum speaking on a panel on legal and policy challenges around land affecting pastoralists, alongside other delegates including the UN Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples and senior government officials, including the Principal Secretary State Department for Wildlife, Kenya, and the Secretary General in the Chad government. Dr. Florence Nherera Chokuda (ESAPN), a WAMIP member working in South Africa, also spoke on the challenges facing smallholders, highlighting forced sedentarisation and limited access to finance.

The journey continues tomorrow, with WAMIP members stepping into the field to connect with the Suswa, Oloossirkon and Orinye communities.

From ceremony to policy dialogue to community visits, WAMIP members continue to carry voices in spaces of dialogues and decisions.

24/01/2026

From 26 to 28 January 2026, WAMIP Global Coordinator Khalid Khawaldeh will be in Hammamet, Tunisia, for the Near East and North Africa (NENA) regional kick-off of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026 (IYRP).

The NENA IYRP Consortium brings together regional partners, government representatives, technical experts, researchers, and pastoralist organizations to strengthen collaboration and build a shared vision for sustainable rangelands and resilient pastoral communities across the NENA region.

Over three days, Khalid will join high-level dialogues examining rangeland governance, climate and biodiversity challenges, pastoralist rights, and opportunities for innovation and research. The programme also includes visits to local rangeland sites in Tunisia, connecting regional dialogue with lived pastoral contexts.

The meeting is expected to conclude with the IYRP-2026 NENA Communiqué, outlining shared regional priorities and collective commitments towards resilient rangeland systems and thriving pastoral communities.

WAMIP views the NENA IYRP process as a key moment to strengthen collective pastoralist voices and ensure that regional priorities are shaped by lived pastoral realities. Through engagement in the Consortium, WAMIP remains committed to building alliances, amplifying pastoralist perspectives, and influencing regional and global policy spaces throughout IYRP 2026.

24/01/2026

WAMIP members including youth delegates from Chad, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Morocco, Namibia, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe will arrive soon in Nairobi, Kenya to be part of the African Indigenous Pastoralists Gathering that takes place between 25th to the 29th of January.

Nomadic and transhumant pastoralism supports an estimated 100–200 million people worldwide, with around half living across 43% of Africa and safeguarding over 80% of the continent’s livestock genetic resources. Additionally, African rangelands also sequester 20–30 tonnes of carbon per hectare. It becomes vital to highlight the global importance of African pastoralist communities.

The gathering aims to:
a) Unify African pastoralist messaging on the value, challenges, and future of rangeland management.

b) Curate stories and case studies highlighting pastoralist resilience, environmental stewardship, and economic contributions.

c) Share policy positions for engagement at national, regional, and global levels, including IYRP 2026 and UNCCD COP17.

d) Position pastoralism as a cultural identity, livelihood system, and biodiversity conservation model rooted in Indigenous knowledge.

e) Elevate the roles of women, youth, elders, and persons with disabilities in sustaining pastoral livelihoods and shaping future strategies

f) Deepen collaboration among pastoralist organisations, governments, and partners to advance coordinated advocacy and action.

WAMIP views the gathering as a key moment to deepen movement-building across Africa, ensuring African pastoral voices are not only heard but are influential in shaping rangeland governance and pastoral futures at national, regional, and global levels.

07/01/2026

From 10 to 12 December 2025, WAMIP member organisation MARAG hosted the Asia Pastoralist Women’s Gathering 2025.

Over 500 participants from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan came together for the three-day gathering to collectively reclaim space, memory, and voice. Participants included Bhavana Desai, WAMIP’s South Asia Regional Coordinator; Ilse Köhler-Rollefson, a WAMIP South Asia member; and Maamankhuu Sodnom, WAMIP’s Eastern and Central Asia Regional Coordinator.

During the first two days, pastoralist women led the conversations, engaging in meaningful dialogue with government officials, donors, researchers, NGOs, and civil society allies. Discussions were guided by three critical questions:
❇ What has changed since the Mera Global Gathering of Pastoralist Women in 2010?
❇ What remains unaddressed or missing?
❇ What are the most urgent gaps and challenges that must shape an updated declaration for future generations?

On the third day, a draft of the revised MERA Declaration (MERA+15), soon to be adopted, was read aloud, discussed collectively, and strengthened through shared wisdom and lived experience.

Key takeaways from the gathering underscored the need to:
1️⃣ Recognise pastoralist women as economic leaders, custodians of biodiversity, and keepers of knowledge.
2️⃣ Reaffirm that pastoralist women’s expertise must shape land, climate, and environmental governance at all levels.
3️⃣ Challenge the narrative of rangelands as “wastelands” and assert mobility as an ecological and cultural strength.

As Neeta Pandya, Chairperson of MARAG, stated, “MERA reminds us that the invisibility of pastoralist women must stop.” WAMIP strongly echoes this message. It is time for pastoralist women to not only be visible, but also be recognised as leaders, paving the way for the future of pastoralism.

07/01/2026

Benjamin Mutambukah, Mupenyu Mberi, and Tezera Getahun, WAMIP Members representing Eastern and Southern Africa, were invited to attend a workshop between the 28th to the 30th of December, 2025 on 'Transhumance Pastoralism, Climate Change and Conflict' in Nairobi, Kenya.

The workshop, hosted by the African Union included pastoralist representatives, representatives of the African Union and various government ministries), Regional Economic Communities (RECs), NGOs and civil society actors, academics and researchers, and international development partners and donors.

Recognizing pastoralism as ‘one of Africa’s oldest and most resilient livelihood systems,’ and emphasising the importance and need for equitable implementation of the African Union’s Policy Framework for Pastoralism in Africa (2010), the workshop’s objectives look at:

✳️ Reviewing and adapting the framework to climate change, conflict, and governance challenges
✳️ Strengthening resilience to drought, desertification, and shifting mobility routes
✳️ Addressing resource-based conflicts through inclusive governance
✳️ Improving access to essential and gender-responsive services for pastoralist communities
✳️ Protecting transhumance corridors and strengthening multi-level collaboration

In his presentation on ‘Conflict Dynamics in Pastoral Regions of Africa,’ Benjamin Mutambukhah stressed that conflict is not a pastoralist problem but rather a symptom of land governance and policy failure. He recommended replacing exclusionary policy frameworks while increasing investments towards institutions, dialogue, and livelihoods that strengthen pastoral systems for stability, resilience, and peace.

WAMIP welcomes multistakeholder collaborations like this that aim at safeguarding and promoting pastoralist livelihoods.

26/12/2025

From a quiet nook at a terminal at the Eleftherios Venizelos, Athens International Airport, Khalid Khawaldeh, Global Coordinator of WAMIP, joined a two-part webinar titled “From Kandy to Belém and beyond: Presentation of the Political Outcomes of the 3rd Nyéléni Global Forum.” The webinar was held to “revisit the rich discussions” of the Nyéléni Forum, which took place in Sri Lanka this September.

The webinar was organised by the Nyeleni Forum on the 4th of December, 2025 and facilitated by Saul Vicente of the International Indian Treaty Council, Mexico. Speakers included Anuka Vimuki de Silva from the Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform; Paula Gioia and Morgan Ody from La Via Campesina; Maggie Cheney from Rock Steady Farm; and Martin Drago from Friends of the Earth.

As one strong collective voice, Khalid, Ali Aii Shatu (WAMIP Regional Coordinator for Central Africa), and others read out the Kandy Declaration, which was the culmination of the 3rd Nyéléni Forum and sets out a roadmap for systemic transformation.

The Kandy Declaration guides struggles for food sovereignty, health for all, the social and solidarity economy, climate and gender justice, and peoples’ rights, while denouncing systems of capitalism, patriarchy, and colonialism. It is a vital document for pastoralists because it recognises them “as guardians and defenders of commons and wild flora and fauna” and calls for the strengthening of pastoralist rights and movements globally, “in confronting the impunity and power of transnational corporations and other exploitative actors.”

The Kandy Declaration is available to read at the link on our bio.

26/12/2025

On 3 December 2025, a team of WAMIP delegates, Khalid Khawaldeh, Tezera Getahun, Bhavana Rabari, Fagouri Said, and Claire Guya, together with the technical staff member Aliya Kumekbayeva joined representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and other entities, met at IFAD Headquarters in Rome for a working session. The in-person session brought together participants and partners who had attended the launch of the 2026 International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) the previous day at FAO

The session served as a collaborative space to co-develop key elements of the IYRP. Discussion included:
• Reviewing the draft Global Action Plan of the Global Alliance
• Mapping regional and global activities
• Aligning communication strategies and key messages amongst partners
• Identifying priority outputs and legacy actions
• Strengthening coordination across partners and regions.

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