Empowering African Youth Pastoralists. Insights on COP28 from East Africa lead of the African Youth Pastoralist Initiative (AYPI) COP28. 






I'm Josephat Masanja, a young agricultural scientist from a pastoral community who encountered challenges when climate change disrupted my family's livelihood, leading to a delay in completing my secondary education. Determined to progress, I seized a second chance and immersed myself in agricultural science. Currently, I lead a pioneering continental initiative called AYPI as the East Africa Coordinator, driving significant transformations in the livestock sector. Furthermore, I have written multiple books focusing on agricultural economics and agribusiness. I also contribute my expertise to various discussions on agricultural policies through local media and television platforms.



My Journey to COP28 
Participating in COP28 from November 29th to December 12th, 2023, as representative of the African Youth Pastoralist Initiative (AYPI) was a momentous occasion. Supported by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), AYPI has been fervently involved in tackling climate adversities since its inception at Lukenya University in 2022 thanks to Fiona Flintan, ILRI for being part of inception and mentoring our initiative.



Goals Envisioned

At COP28, my primary aims encompassed advocating for the integration of young pastoralists in climate dialogues, illuminating the impact of climate change on pastoral societies, accentuating the significance of sustainable livestock practices, and propelling inventive solutions for adaptation and mitigation.


Engagements in Panel Discussions:

Sustainable Livestock Production Systems Panel (December 5th): 
Shared AYPI's journey and highlighted the commitment of youth in addressing climate crises within pastoral communities. 
Engaged with influential figures like the IFAD Representative, Uruguay's Minister of Agriculture, and ILRI representatives.


Supporting Smallholder Producers Session (December 6th): 

I explored the profound effects of climate change on Africa pastoral communities, advocating young people to drive an ICT approach (Innovation, Collaboration, and Transformation) to address pastoral injustices while integrating traditional wisdom with modern solutions, innovation with sustainability and economic prosperity with cultural preservation.



Livestock Emissions Reduction Discussion (December 9th): 

I stressed the livestock sector's significance in Africa's economy, food security, and nutrition. Addressed challenges encountered by smallholder livestock farmers in balancing environmental concerns and economic viability due to limited resources.


Livestock Resilience Dialogue (December 10th): 

I advocated for a transformative narrative in the livestock sector, focusing on resilience. Emphasized the necessity for clear rangeland policies in Africa to safeguard pastoralist lands, mitigate conflicts, and establish sustainable grazing practices.


Achievements
Participation in diverse panel discussions facilitated networking opportunities with influential personalities, policymakers, and field experts. The chance to exchange ideas and contribute AYPI's perspective was immensely valuable. Engaging in negotiations concerning adaptation and mitigation, youth and women inclusion, and climate financing further enriched my experience



Future Endeavors: 
Post COP28, my involvement has revitalized my commitment to championing youth inclusion, sustainable pastoral practices, and policy reforms benefiting pastoral communities. AYPI aims to sustain this momentum by fostering collaborations with stakeholders, employing innovative strategies, and actively participating in upcoming global climate forums. 
Commencing in January, I plan to organize both physical and virtual meetings with stakeholders to explore new partnerships, nurture collaborations, and collectively devise actionable strategies to address climate challenges in pastoral regions. 
In essence, the COP28 experience was transformative, providing a platform to amplify the voices of young pastoralists and contribute significantly to global endeavors addressing climate challenges in pastoral communities.





Prepared by Josephat Masanja
East Africa Coordinator of Africa Youth Pastoralist Initiative



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