They have contributed very little to climate change yet they, and their animals, are suffering its harshest impacts.

They provide key ecosystem services.

Pastoralists are herding communities that graze their animals on rangelands, providing 75% of Africa’s milk and more than 50% of its meat.

Feeding and watering livestock in most livestock production systems in Africa does not reduce food or water supply for people.

These farms integrate livestock with crops in regenerative and circular agricultural systems.

Livestock production in developing countries is growing rapidly and will continue to do so for decades, which is opening major pathways out of poverty for nearly 700 million small-scale producers living on less than $1.90 a day.

Milk, meat and eggs—dense with critical nutrients proteins and micronutrients and among the most nourishing of human foods—are missing from the food plates of most of the world’s two billion poorest people.

Keeping livestock healthy and well cared for improves animal, human, ecosystem and economic health.

Livestock are a powerful but neglected asset for hundreds of millions of families. Reducing gender disparities is essential to realizing their potential to reduce poverty and malnutrition and expand economic opportunities for everyone and especially for women and girls.

Context matters; properly tailored for specific communities and environments, livestock practices serve both.

Our health is improved when decisions include all perspectives; investing in gender-responsive interventions increases the potential for success and leaves no-one behind.

Complex health problems affecting people, animals and the environment are best tackled through integrated ‘one health’ investments and policies that unite and apply multi-sectoral medical, veterinary and ecosystem expertise.

Maintaining good animal health and welfare brings widespread development benefits to people in low- and middle-income countries and contributes to a sustainable future for all.

Ecosystem conservation and livestock-keeping must work hand in hand for the sake of better human, animal and environmental health.      

During critical life phases (during pregnancy and lactation, infancy, and early childhood through adolescence), optimal livestock-derived food consumption safeguards the health, education, nutrition and well-being of women and children, preventing stunting, wasting and premature death

On mixed crop-livestock farms that produce most of the world’s livestock products, appropriate market-driven solutions will help farmers sustainably intensify production, providing income and livelihoods and offering opportunities to empower women

More sustainable livestock sectors present huge opportunities to help communities adapt to climate change while at the same time lowering their greenhouse gas emissions.

Improving smallholder livestock productivity also reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

The land, feed and water requirements of livestock do not need to compete with the food needs of people.

Livestock can be managed to enhance rather than harm the environment.