From Regional Action to Global Frameworks for Livestock

From 3 to 5 March 2026, the FAO Committee on Agriculture (COAG) Sub Committee on Livestock will convene its Third Session to negotiate the Draft Global Plan of Action for Sustainable Livestock Transformation. 

Established in 2020 and open to all COAG Members (currently 138) and to observers, the Sub-Committee is the primary global forum where countries review evidence, set priorities and build consensus on livestock-related issues that contribute to poverty reduction, food security and nutrition, sustainable livelihoods and the 2030 Agenda. 

For the GEF-8 Food Systems Integrated Program (FSIP) livestock cluster, these negotiations are particularly timely. Across 18 FSIP country projects where livestock is an entry point, the GPA provides a shared foundation for aligning policy ambition with practical delivery at global, regional and country levels.

What is the GPA, and why does it matter?

The GPA is an internationally negotiated framework - currently under discussion - designed to guide the transformation of the livestock sector towards greater sustainability. The GPA is voluntary, non-binding and country-driven, allowing flexible implementation across diverse production systems and contexts. It emphasizes alignment with countries’ existing international commitments without creating new legal obligations. 

For FSIP livestock countries, the GPA provides a common reference point for harmonized action while allowing context-specific  priorities and sequencing.

A systems approach at the core

A defining feature of the GPA is its agrifood systems perspective. It links livestock to nutrition, livelihoods, animal health, land use, climate and biodiversity and integrates the One Health approach throughout. This mirrors the FSIP’s integrated model, in which policy coherence, value chain transformation, investment and access to finance, innovation, and on-the-ground practice reinforce each other to accelerate sustainable outcomes.

Environmental priorities aligned with GEF and global commitments

A dedicated Priority Areas focuses on sustainable natural resource use, climate change and biodiversity, addressing:

1. conservation, restoration and sustainable management of rangelands and pasturelands, including participatory integrated land-use planning and the prevention of deforestation;
2. adaptation and mitigation to climate change through strengthened advisory services, improved emissions assessment methodologies, and the integration of livestock measures into national climate strategies;
3. integrated soil, land and water resources management, including responsible manure management and other measures to prevent pollution and safeguard ecosystem integrity;
   
4. circular approaches and sustainable bioeconomy models, including the use of alternative feed sources, crop residues and by-products, and the valorization of livestock waste into bioenergy, fertilizers and innovative biobased products; 
   
5. promotion of sustainable livestock systems that enhance ecosystem services and biodiversity, including the conservation and sustainable use of animal genetic resources and the alignment with relevant global biodiversity commitments.

The GPA also reinforces policy coherence, underscoring alignment with instruments such as National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). This creates clear links between livestock transformation and countries’ commitments under global environmental agreements, a central dimension to GEF-supported  programming. 

Regional momentum: FSIP communities of practice in Africa and Latin America

Global negotiations are grounded in regional engagement. The GPA development process benefited from consultations and discussions in international and regional fora, including dedicated sessions in Nairobi and during CODEGALAC in Guatemala City.

Africa: Nairobi Engagement and the Community of Practice for Coherent Action

In Nairobi, alongside the Regional Forum on the International Year of Camelids and Sustainable Livestock Transformation in Africa, FSIP livestock countries advanced regional collaboration and policy dialogue. The engagement marked an important step in aligning country efforts with the emerging GPA and launching the Africa Livestock Community of Practice.

Read the full article here.

Latin America and the Caribbean: CODEGALAC and investment dialogue

At the XVII Session of CODEGALAC (Guatemala City, 16–18 July 2025), delegates reaffirmed the sector’s importance to food and nutrition security and rural development, while recognizing persisting challenges related to animal health, investment gaps and environmental pressures.

CODEGALAC provides a regional platform enabling governments and stakeholders to exchange experiences on livestock policies and jointly design cooperation strategies. Countries emphasized the need to strengthen biosecurity, traceability and climate-smart, deforestation-free production systems, as well as improving governance and regulatory frameworks. Recommendations called for scaling sustainable practices, addressing communication and behavioral barriers, optimizing public investments and advancing a Regional Work Agenda for Sustainable Livestock, and increased resource mobilization. 

The Session also hosted the First Sustainable Livestock Investment Forum, which encouraged financing mechanisms and partnerships and the development of clear, science-based investment tools and methodologies. More information here. 

The FSIP Team presented the program, highlighting shared priorities across the seven regional projects and emphasizing governance, policy and budget optimization. These discussions helped lay the foundations for the emerging Communities of Practice and supported countries in linking regional priorities with the GPA negotiations.

Looking ahead to March 2026

As negotiations begin, the FSIP livestock cluster is positioned to help countries translate global consensus into national plans of action, support coordinated implementation and strengthen policy coherence. With active Communities of Practice in Africa and Latin America, FSIP can help countries turn global guidance into concrete steps to advance climate, biodiversity, land, food security and nutrition, livelihoods and inclusion objectives.