Land is central to all aspects related to food systems transformation and rural development. If you do not work on land, it will always be an obstacle to development, food systems and rural transformation.

We do not have to protect Indigenous Peoples only because they are guardians of forests and lands but also because they deserve to have their lands protected. Donors’ mentality needs to adapt to this reality; they need to consult Indigenous Peoples to take decisions, and that means at all levels.

Land is synonymous with identity, culture, power, development, food, and human security. Good land governance is essential for sustainable use of our land, our environment, our shared prosperity, and our common future, for a world in which all groups and multi generations live, thrive and prosper on land in equal stature.

ILC members come together to work for people-centred land governance. We believe that this is a pathway to addressing the major challenges of our time; mitigating the climate crisis, overcoming extreme inequality, building democracy and promoting sustainable food systems.

Women’s access to and control over land is critical for development. We know from country studies that greater control over land leads to better food security and nutrition for that woman’s family. Investing in women’s land rights is an investment in the future.

Without land tenure systems that work, economies risk missing the foundation for sustainable growth, threatening the livelihoods of the poor and vulnerable the most. It is not possible to end poverty and boost shared prosperity without serious progress on land and property rights.

Improved land rights for all and sustainable land use are absolute preconditions for achieving the SDG targets on food & nutrition security, climate resilience, rule of law, peace & stability, inclusive growth and gender equality. This requires coordinated multi-stakeholder action aligned with people’s priorities and (sub)national policies.

The relationship of ownership, access to and control over land is a part of a larger power inequity equation. Besides the regulatory environment, one also should consider the power dynamics and the political economy surrounding land issues.

There remains an enormous implementation gap to close around land rights, to address discriminatory social norms and support the equal rights of women, youth, indigenous people and migrants to access, use and benefit from land. We have the opportunity to work collaboratively for another 10 years of progress on good land governance.