[Iyrp-gcg] A Call for Fair Representation of Pastoralists in the IYRP 2026 Process

[Igshaan Samuels]

Dear WAMIP

We received your letter and email in good faith and concur with many of
your contents.

However, we also need to take note that you did not mention in your
email and letter that the IYRP Global Alliance secretariat met with WAMIP
on a few occasions to discuss these matters, and the most recent meeting
was 29 Aug 2024. In the meetings as the IYRP GA we acknowledged that we
have areas that we can improve on and we made several decisions in the
meetings (you can revisit your minutes or recordings). There were
tasks that WAMIP was supposed to do. One, being, how we can leverage the
WAMIP networks to get more pastoralists involved.

Secondly, about transparency, WAMIP has not attended several GCG meetings
where decisions are made, despite you having two seats on the GCG and I
can't recall receiving apologies from WAMIP for the meetings.

What I am alluding to is yes, we have shortcomings and acknowledged it and
wanted to work with WAMIP in this regard, we had bilateral meetings, then
nothing happened. WAMIP also had responsibilities.

It is getting increasingly challenging for us when we receive comments well
after the process has taken place. E.g. *No one objected to the candidate
list before the voting process opened*. Maryam and I always share
documents with the GCG for comments well in advance but less than 20% of
the GCG always reply. We just have to be honest with ourselves here. The
lack of commenting on documents leads to the GA secretariat having to make
decisions at times.

We are always open for discussions and guidance, that has always been the
case. We just need to find each other, including acknowledging that WAMIP
is not the only pastoralist organization that is part of the IYRP. E.g.
What about (non)mobile pastoralists, given the definition of a pastoralist
the IYRP adopted in its inception?

There is a lot to discuss and if WAMIP wants it to be discussed at the GCG
level, then we are open to that.

Kind regards,
Igshaan




On Fri, Apr 11, 2025 at 11:51 AM WAMIP Secretariat <
coordination at wamipglobal.com> wrote:

> Dear friends and colleagues in the IYRP Global Alliance,
>
> Warm greetings from the World Alliance of Mobile Indigenous Peoples and
> Pastoralists (WAMIP).
>
> We are writing to share an open letter from WAMIP to the IYRP Global
> Coordinating Group, the FAO, and the wider IYRP Global Alliance community.
> This letter expresses our serious concerns regarding the lack of meaningful
> pastoralist representation in the decision-making structures of the
> International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) 2026.
>
> As a global alliance rooted in grassroots pastoralist movements, we
> believe that those whose lives and livelihoods are at the heart of the IYRP
> must have a central role in shaping its direction. To date, despite
> repeated efforts, our calls for transparency, equity, and self-determined
> governance have not received a formal response.
>
> We invite you to read the full letter (attached or available here
> <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zRlUSSG2LZm8xBez7XDffTeYPwQtAM_7/view?usp=sharing>)
> and to reflect on how we, as a community, can work together to ensure that
> the IYRP 2026 genuinely honors its commitment to pastoralists and
> rangelands. We remain committed to constructive dialogue and a
> collaborative path forward.
>
> Please feel free to share this message and letter widely. We welcome your
> solidarity and support.
>
> With respect and hope,
>
> *Khalid Alkhawaldeh*
> On behalf of the Steering Committee
> World Alliance of Mobile Indigenous Peoples & Pastoralists (WAMIP)
> coordination at wamipglobal.com
>
>
> Aliya Kumekbayeva (she/her)
> Technical support
> Global Secretariat of WAMIP
> www.wamipglobal.com
> Instagram: wamip.global
> Facebook: World Alliance of Mobile Indigenous People & Pastoralists -
> WAMIP
> <https://www.facebook.com/people/World-alliance-of-mobile-indigenous-people-Pastoralists-WAMIP/100080106197646/>
> --
> Iyrp-gcg mailing list
> Iyrp-gcg at list.cals.arizona.edu
> https://list.cals.arizona.edu/mailman/listinfo/iyrp-gcg
>

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