Rethinking investment in rangelands: Advancing inclusive green investments and pastoralist rights at COP17
As the global community gathers in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, for the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Land Matrix partner the Resource Conflict Institute (RECONCILE) will convene an important side event together with a range of partners on 19 August 2026 from 10:30am-12:00pm (Mongolia time) entitled Priority policies, partnerships and investments for scaling rangeland restoration in Africa. The event aligns with the COP17 theme “Restoring land, restoring hope” and aims to position rangeland-pastoralism systems at the centre of climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable land management. Bringing together government representatives, research institutions, development partners, pastoralist organisations, and civil society to explore how the outcomes of COP17 can be translated into concrete action across the continent, the event will include a short keynote presentation, expert panel discussions, and an interactive plenary session.
Global significance of rangeland-pastoralism systems
The designation of 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026) serves as an important platform for elevating pastoral systems within global policy and development agendas. Across Africa, rangelands cover approximately 62% of the continent, exceeding the area occupied by forests, wetlands, and deserts combined. However, many rangeland-pastoralism systems face increasing pressures from competing land uses and investment models that do not adequately recognise their ecological and institutional dynamics, often contributing to land degradation and further undermining the social-ecological relationships upon which pastoralism depends. Climate change is further intensifying these pressures, reinforcing the need for investment approaches that recognise, sustain, and strengthen these systems.
This side event will scrutinise exactly this, with panellists exploring how investment models can better recognise pastoral mobility and collective land governance, while promoting stronger safeguards such as Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and ensuring pastoralists have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their lands and livelihoods. It will also investigate how IYRP 2026 can influence policy and investment pathways while critically examining how large-scale land acquisitions and green investments can either strengthen or undermine rangeland-pastoralism systems, depending on the assumptions and governance arrangements that shape them.
Meet RECONCILE at COP17
Throughout COP17, RECONCILE will also host a booth in the exhibition area, providing an opportunity for delegates to learn more about its work on rangeland restoration, sustainable land governance, pastoralist livelihoods, and community-led conservation initiatives. Please pop by if you are attending in person and learn more about RECONCILE and the Land Matrix!