Based on a vast diversity of research and with the help of case studies from different geographical contexts, this paper highlights the role of pastoralism in the food systems context and why pastoralists’ livelihood systems are essential for climate resilience and food system sustainability in rangelands. It highlights core principles of pastoralist systems’ resilience in climate variable environments and examines factors limiting or enhancing pastoralist systems’ contribution to food system sustainability and the synergistic implementation of the three Rio-Conventions, synthesising recommendations for increased political integration.