WAMIP members took part in the IYRP 2026 NENA Regional Conference, held in Hammamet, Tunisia (26–28 January 2026), bringing together governments, partners, and pastoralist voices to build a shared vision for sustainable rangelands and pastoral livelihoods across the Near East and North Africa.
Day 1 focused on climate action and adaptation. Mohamed Moemen Abdelkafi Moemen of Project Marsa Matrouh joined a panel on climate-resilient rangelands and pastoral systems, placing pastoralism at the heart of regional adaptation efforts. Women pastoralists also took the stage to underline the importance of advancing inclusivity and empowering women and youth within pastoral systems. Alongside high-level discussions, pastoralists from across the region showcased the rich diversity of food and non-food products from rangelands, from dairy and honey to wool, leather, and herbal goods, highlighting the economic, cultural, and ecological value of pastoral livelihoods.
Day 2 spotlighted rights, inclusion, and governance. In a session moderated by the FAO, Khalid Khawaldeh highlighted the critical link between recognition of pastoralists’ land rights and the ability to secure sustainable livelihoods.
The conference concluded with a field visit to Zaghrouan, where participants engaged with local agrosilvopastoral rangelands and learned directly about grazing techniques and landscape management.
The Regional Conference closed with the release of the Regional Consortium’s Communiqué, built around seven key pillars:
• Inclusive governance
• Safeguarding mobility
• Scaling restoration
• Increasing data and monitoring
• Investment
• Resilience
• Research and innovation
Through active participation across panels, dialogues, and field learning, WAMIP continues to support pastoralist-led priorities and regional collaboration shaping the future of rangelands in NENA.