Abstract:
Rangelands cover more than half of the Earth’s land surface, and their sustainable management is essential for achieving global goals related to land degradation neutrality, food security, and biodiversity conservation. Recognizing that both pastoralist communities and wildlife depend on healthy rangelands, CMS COP15 adopted the Decision on Pastoralism. The Decision encourages CMS Parties to raise awareness of the importance of sustainably using rangelands for the conservation of migratory species. It also encourages the CMS and UNCCD Secretariats to collaborate in supporting the development of targeted recommendations that harness synergies between the objectives of CMS and UNCCD, for the benefit of both migratory species conservation and sustainable land management by pastoralist communities.
This side event aims to promote such cross-sectoral cooperation by highlighting the interdependence between rangelands, migratory species, and pastoralist livelihoods, as well as the role of ecological connectivity — including the unimpeded movement of animals, the continuity of natural processes, and the connectedness of habitats — in supporting migratory species conservation and enhancing the resilience of rangeland ecosystems under climate change. The event will showcase global examples of sustainable pasture management approaches that integrate the conservation of migratory species and their habitats with support for local livelihoods.
Programme:
Participants will be encouraged to contribute to the work of the CMS Scientific Council Working Group on Pastoralism and CMS-listed species as mandated by the CMS COP15 Decisions on Pastoralism. The Working Group is tasked with developing recommendations on sustainable pasture use and migratory species conservation for consideration by CMS COP16, in cooperation with the UNCCD Secretariat. Speakers, including representatives of government agencies, United Nations agencies and NGOs, will provide the policy context complemented by practical examples demonstrating how sustainable pastoralism and migratory species conservation can be advanced in an integrated manner.
Organized by: National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, CMS Secretariat, Global Alliance for Rangelands and Pastoralists and Yolda Initiative