Enviro News Asia, Nairobi — Hundreds of stakeholders are set to gather in Nairobi on 6–7 May 2026 for GLF Africa 2026, a major hybrid conference aimed at advancing dialogue and action on rangeland ecosystems and pastoralist livelihoods.
The event will bring together experts, youth, Indigenous and local leaders, policymakers, businesses, and financiers to address the critical role of rangelands in global food systems, biodiversity conservation, and socioeconomic development. Rangelands account for approximately 43 percent of Africa’s land area and 54 percent of global land, underscoring their global significance.
The conference will feature more than 40 sessions, including plenaries, workshops, expert panels, cultural demonstrations, and networking events. Key discussions will focus on strengthening climate resilience, improving sustainable land management, and unlocking investment opportunities within pastoralist economies.
The opening plenary will highlight the importance of elevating rangelands and pastoralist systems from the margins to central components of climate and biodiversity strategies. Other sessions will explore the integration of Indigenous knowledge with modern approaches, including the use of digital tools such as the AfriScout to support regenerative grazing practices.
Policy-focused discussions will address challenges such as mobility and transhumance in East Africa, as well as pathways to sustainable pastoral systems. Additional sessions will examine financing mechanisms, gender-inclusive leadership in agriculture, and the role of restoration in strengthening connections between communities and landscapes.
The conference will also contribute to shaping regional priorities ahead of the UNCCD COP17, reinforcing Africa’s position in global environmental governance. The closing plenary will explore how rangeland governance models can offer lessons for managing shared resources worldwide.
Prominent speakers include Dickson Kaelo, Johann Saathoff, and Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, alongside nearly 100 experts contributing insights on sustainable land use and pastoralist systems.
In addition, the event will host the Vision Earth Film Festival – Africa Lands POP-UP, showcasing stories from pastoralist and local communities across the continent. (*)
