Indigenous Pastoralists Lead Global Dialogue on Drought Resilience at United Nations Summit

A global delegation of Indigenous pastoralists has gathered in Mongolia this week to champion the role of traditional land management in combating climate change. Representing approximately 500 million people worldwide who manage livestock across arid rangelands, these leaders are calling for stronger international protections and resources during the 17th meeting of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Andrew Msami, program lead for the Pastoralists Indigenous Non-Governmental Organizations (PINGOs) Forum in Tanzania, told Grist that adapting to shifting climates has been a foundational part of Maasai life for generations. Msami is among hundreds of advocates arguing that the experience of Indigenous communities living on marginal lands offers essential lessons for a world facing rapid desertification. He emphasized that the lives and identities of pastoralists should not be sacrificed in the name of global development. This year's summit marks a significant milestone with the establishment of a formal caucus specifically for Indigenous peoples. Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, an Mbororo leader from Chad and the first chair of the caucus, described the gathering as a unique and historic opportunity to advance Indigenous rights on the international stage. While desertification was once viewed as a challenge primarily for the developing world, Ibrahim noted that increasing droughts in Europe are finally drawing more political attention to the issue. The advocacy coincides with the United Nations’ International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. Participants are seeking official recognition of scientific evidence showing that pastoralism supports biodiversity and creates climate-resilient landscapes. By securing a seat at the table, these Indigenous leaders aim to ensure that global climate strategies integrate the deep, ancestral knowledge of those who have successfully stewarded the world's most vulnerable ecosystems.