SPARC, ICPALD and JO conference: Building Resilience and Prosperity of Pastoralists and Dryland Communities
Convened by SPARC, the IGAD Centre for Pastoral Areas and Livestock Development (ICPALD) and the Jameel Observatory for Food Security Early Action, this policy and practice dialogue focuses on the sustainable development of drylands.
Event date and time
Taking place on 1 and 2 October in Nairobi, we will examine what investment in resilience and development can look like in some of the world’s most fragile and hard-to-reach places, and how to realise the dynamism of pastoralists, agro-pastoralists and smallholder farmers in drylands.
Drawing on research and policy analysis by SPARC, ICPALD, the Observatory and other partners, our objectives are to:
- Reframe narratives and policies around pastoralism, seeing them as pathways to prosperity, and calling for actions that better reflect their dynamism and resilience in the face of complex challenges such as drought, insecurity and climate change
- Critically discuss emerging insights, evidence and lessons to inform policy and programme actions to build the resilience of drylands, rangelands and pastoralist communities
- Facilitate collaboration and partnerships and strengthen the capacities of institutions and communities in dryland regions
- Connect current work to upcoming regional and global milestones, including the 2026 International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP17
What to Expect
Day 1 – Wednesday, 1 October
Sessions will explore new narratives and evidence around dryland and pastoralist systems, with a strong emphasis on anticipatory action, early warning systems, and community-led resilience. Discussions will include insights from local governments, regional institutions, and research organisations.
Reception and poster display – Evening of Wednesday, 1 October
A separately ticketed evening event open to registered participants. It will provide informal space for dialogue, networking, and reflection among attendees.
Day 2 – Thursday, 2 October
Sessions will focus on practical tools and forward-looking strategies. Topics include improving the accessibility and use of data, strengthening financial and insurance mechanisms, supporting gender-responsive approaches, and exploring future trajectories for dryland livestock systems and pastoralist livelihoods. The day will conclude with a closing plenary to align efforts towards the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists and other global and regional policy debates in 2026.
