On 11 February 2026, WAMIP Global Coordinator Khalid Khawaldeh of the Dana Cooperative, Jordan, and WAMIP member Monicah Yator of the Indigenous Women and Girls Initiative, Kenya, will speak at a webinar co-organised by the Agroecology Coalition and the International Land Coalition titled “Agroecology & Land: The Role of Pastoralists to Protect Land & Combat Desertification.”As per the FAO, rangelands cover around 54% of the Earth’s surface, of which 80% are managed by pastoralist systems. The International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) 2026 aims to raise awareness of the vital importance of rangelands and pastoralists as their frontline custodians. According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, current global food systems are the largest cause of terrestrial biodiversity loss. Agroecological methods such as soil regeneration, diversification of crop and livestock production, and reduced dependency on external inputs provide a strong counter to land degradation.This webinar brings together the voices of pastoralists, farmers, civil society groups, UN bodies, and policy-makers who are committed to promoting transitions towards agroecological food systems that support sustainable land management, combat desertification, and provide sustainable livelihoods for all.As 2026 also marks the International Year of Women Farmers, Monicah Yator will begin by acknowledging not only the contribution and importance of pastoralists, but also the critical role of women agrarians in managing land and addressing climate change and desertification. Khalid Khawaldeh will speak on what sustainable livestock systems look like in the context of pastoralism, highlighting the importance of land tenure security and mobility for pastoralist systems to thrive.Through its participation in this webinar, WAMIP reaffirms its commitment to amplifying pastoralist voices globally and advocating for rights-based, agroecological approaches that recognise pastoralists as key actors in protecting rangelands, sustaining food systems, and combating desertification. Registration link in our LinktreeBackground courtesy: Man Fong Wong