Technical Seminar on the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security

Background

The Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (“Guidelines”) represent an unprecedented international agreement on the governance of tenure, which places secure access to land, fisheries and forests firmly in the context of food security. The Guidelines are based on an inclusive, transparent consultation process started by FAO and then finalized through intergovernmental negotiations led by the Committee on World Food Security (CFS), and which included the participation of member states, civil society organizations, private sector representatives, academics and researchers, and international organizations. The EU was particularly involved.

The Guidelines address responsible investments that affect tenure rights, including by:

·         acknowledging that responsible investments are essential for improving food security;

·         identifying safeguards to recognize and respect all existing legitimate tenure right holders and their rights;

·         providing operational principles and good practices for responsible public and private investments.

More generally, the Guidelines promote food security and sustainable development by improving transparent, equitable, secure access to and control over land, fisheries and forests and by protecting the legitimate tenure rights, whether formal or informal, of millions of people, many of whom are poor and food insecure. They set out internationally accepted principles and standards for responsible practices. They provide a framework that the private sector, governments and civil society can use when developing their own policies and programmes. They provide stakeholders with their own context-specific answers to essential questions related to the recognition and allocation of tenure rights, the transfer of tenure rights, and the administration of tenure, including the resolution of disputes.

Following responsible practices for the governance of tenure in ways that address the various interests of citizens, business enterprises and states is a crucial factor in ensuring food security for millions of people, improving livelihoods, strengthening social and economic development and enhancing the environment.

The Guidelines were officially endorsed by CFS at its Thirty-eighth (Special) Session on 11 May 2012. Since then, their implementation has been encouraged by the UN General Assembly, Rio +20 declaration, G8, G20, l’Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie, and the Berlin Summits of Agricultural Ministers. The Guidelines are the standard for use in all FAO’s work on tenure.

 An initial series of 11 regional workshops has been organized to raise awareness on the ‘Guidelines’ and provide best possible guidance on how to implement them to a variety of stakeholders, including governments, private sector actors, civil society representatives. Those have been complemented by a series of national workshops where participants discuss how to use the Guidelines in the specific contexts of their countries.

The European Union has been active supporter in the formulation and endorsement of the Guidelines. This effort is part of the EU engagement to support the reform of the Committee on World Food Security to become the pivotal institution to coordinate global food security initiatives.  The EU is also committed to support the implementation of the Guidelines. The recently launched EU Land Governance Programme in Africa (2014-2017) supports its implementation in ten African countries. The FAO provides technical support to the programme and contributes to the sharing of experiences and capitalizing best practices.

Objectives of the technical seminar in Brussels

The technical seminar to be organized in Brussels will address procedures and actions to implement the Guidelines and to improve governance of tenure of land, fisheries and forests. However, focus will be this time on Brussels-based European and non-European private sector audience. The event is organised by FAO and hosted by DG DEVCO and DG AGRI from the European Commission.  The seminar is part of EU’s and FAO’s strategy to raise awareness of the Guidelines to the private sector, share experiences and discuss their use and implementation.

The seminar will provide information on the Guidelines and how the private sector can use them. Specific emphasis will be placed on addressing risks related to investments that affect tenure rights and on responding to opportunities. The specific objectives will be to:

·         Present the Guidelines and relevant case studies and initiatives related to the private sector;

·         Discuss and identify risks and opportunities for the private sector;

·         Discuss and analyze options for collaboration between the private sector and other stakeholders regarding the use of the Guidelines;

·         Link with existing initiatives to create networks at Global/regional/national levels.

The seminar represents also an important step to build networks of Brussels – based private sector representatives to share information, experiences and knowledge on the governance of tenure of land, fisheries and forests.

Relevance

The planned Seminar will be the first one on the Guidelines that addresses specifically a private sector audience.

Globally, over the past few years, investments in land and agriculture have received increasing attention. Some land, which only a short time ago seemed to be of little interest or value, has been sought for investment by a variety of stakeholders. Large-scale land acquisitions have stimulated heated debates and are likely to have profound implications for the future of world agriculture, food security and the environment. Without robust governance structures, investments can be subject to higher risks, losses can be incurred and tenure rights may be threatened.

In contrast, it is possible for investments to deliver favourable returns while respecting all existing legitimate tenure right holders and their rights. Business enterprises are increasingly recognizing their obligations in preventing infringements of legitimate tenure right holders.

Date and Location:

DATE & TIME: Wednesday 9 July, 9:00 – 12:00

LOCATION: Centre Albert Borschette, 36 Rue Froissart Brussels, Belgium

Target audience of the meeting

The seminar will target a Brussels-based private sector audience, whose work intersects with tenure of land, fisheries and forests. Around 80-100 participants expected to attend from the European and non-European private sector. The seminar aims to raise awareness on the Guidelines, build a dialogue among them and ensure that networks are created and existing ones strengthened.

Expected results

By the end of the seminar the participants will understand the concept of governance of tenure and responsible practices for investments that affect tenure rights. They should be able to incorporate the Guidelines in their activities, and develop recommendations and plans for their work. The seminar will also provide opportunity to the private sector representatives to reflect upon experiences of private sector actors and establish networks and create synergies for the implementation of the Guidelines.

Technical Seminar on the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security

Centre Albert Borschette, 36 Rue Froissart

Brussels, Belgium

Wednesday 09 July 2014, 09:00-12:00 – tentative programme