The road towards pastoralists’ rights

In the context of multiple global crises, tensions arising from environmental changes, land grabbing and agri-food systems are affecting pastoralism. Promoting, preserving and advocating for the protection of rights is a necessary (though not sufficient) condition for ensuring the sustainability of pastoralist families worldwide. To this end, over the past few decades, pastoralist organisations and their allies have been raising the profile of pastoralism in various global forums.

In the long struggle for pastoralist rights, two international instruments emerged to protect rural people, including pastoralists. The first is the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), adopted in 2007. It is a key legal instrument for protecting the core elements of pastoral governance, including territory, collective identity and customary institutions, leadership and law, to the extent that pastoralists identify themselves as Indigenous Peoples. The UNDRIP also includes ‘process rights’, establishing special participation and consultation procedures for the implementation of large-scale projects that could affect the land and territories of Indigenous Peoples. The aim is to ensure self-determination within development programmes.

The second instrument is the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas (UNDROP), which was adopted in 2018. UNDROP is currently the only instrument of international law that explicitly covers almost all definitions of pastoralism. It calls on states to respect, protect and fulfil the rights and exercise of these rights, free from any kind of discrimination, and to take all necessary measures to ensure that non-state actors respect these rights. The declaration also ensures the right of mobile pastoralists to land, territories and other natural resources, as well as their management. UNDROP considers environmental integrity not as a background condition, but as a core prerequisite for the exercise of all other rights. States shall take appropriate measures to promote and protect traditional knowledge, innovations, and practices relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. Furthermore, UNDROP recognises customary tenure systems and protects pastoralists against arbitrary displacement and eviction, ensuring their right to traditional grazing lands and migration routes. On this last point, UNDROP establishes freedom of movement, as well as the state’s obligation to facilitate mobility and address transboundary tenure issues. Another important issue it addresses is the right to food and food sovereignty, including participation in relevant decision-making processes on food policies. Lastly, this instrument includes the right to access education, participation, association, information and justice, particularly for women.

Mobile pastoralists can use the UNDROP as a legal and political tool to strengthen their protection and visibility. Acknowledging these rights is also important for designing concrete advocacy strategies to achieve effective implementation.

Another recent milestone in the recognition of pastoralists occurred at the Nyéléni Forum in Kandy, Sri Lanka, in 2025. Although pastoralists have been included in alliances, alongside other groups, such as peasants, family farmers and fisherfolk, in the discourse on food sovereignty since 2007, they have not fully engaged with it. Last year, over 700 participants from around the world gathered in Kandy to develop a Common Political Action Agenda (CPAA). Following the World Alliance of Mobile Indigenous Peoples & Pastoralists (WAMIP) consultations and lobbying efforts, pastoralist perspectives were incorporated into Sections 3 and 4 of the CPAA, as well as the Final Declaration. The Kandy Declaration guides struggles for food sovereignty, health, a social and solidarity economy, climate and gender justice, and people’s rights. It recognises pastoralists as guardians and defenders of the commons, wild flora and fauna, and calls for the strengthening of their rights and movements globally in order to confront the impunity and power of transnational corporations and other exploitative actors.

The Nyéléni Forum provided a collaborative space in which to develop key elements of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) in 2026, including the Global Action Plan, regional and global activities, and communication strategies and messages. The aim of celebrating the IYRP is to raise public awareness of the societal value of rangelands and pastoralists, to promote pastoralist knowledge and innovation and to encourage coalition building. The IYRP also seeks to advocate for policies and legislation that support the sustainable use of rangelands and the livelihoods of pastoralists. To this end, regional and targeted meetings (e.g. women and young people) have been taking place throughout the year to develop proposals and future courses of action.

Following the conclusion of these regional processes, Mongolia will host the Global Pastoralist Gathering and Conference in August, which will bring together around 300 delegates from pastoralist organisations across 102 countries. During the Global Pastoralist Gathering the regional outcomes will be consolidate and validated, elevating them to the level of global policy. The event will also generate the Supporting Declaration for Joint Action from civil society organisations, scientists and governments. This declaration will include policy, research, financing, capacity building and assistance commitments at national and regional levels. The final documents will be presented at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP 17), alongside other events organised to promote dialogue with parties and partners and to mobilise commitments for follow-up actions.

Progress in recognising and promoting the rights of pastoralists has been gradual and sustained over time and new developments must continually be driven forward.