The IGAD Centre for Pastoral Areas and Livestock Development (ICPALD) is an IGAD Specialized institution mandated to “promote and facilitate sustainable and equitable drylands and livestock development in the IGAD region”. ICPALD provides a platform for regional cooperation and coordination in drylands and livestock development. This platform aims to contribute to the improvement of animal health, production and marketing, enhanced dryland agriculture and value added alternative livelihood products, including non-wood forest products (NWFP) and artisanal minerals (in areas of production). The Centre’s regional cooperation and coordination of actions based on the scientific assessment of risks to shared (underground and surface) water resources and natural resources (NR), especially pastures and NWFP; climate change and adaptation; animal and public health; and the evaluation of other factors of production and consumption are the principal means of achieving benefits in rural pastoral communities. Vision: Be the premier Centre of excellence for promoting livestock and complementary livelihood resources development in arid and semi-arid areas of the IGAD Region. Mission: Compliment efforts of IGAD Member States to sustainably generate wealth and employment through livestock and complementary livelihood resources development in arid and semi-arid areas of the IGAD Region. Mandate: “To promote, facilitate and advocate for a people-centered, gender responsive sustainable development in arid and semi-arid areas in the IGAD Region” Our member countries are: Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.