United Nations Economic Commission for Africa | 4 September 2013
Land Policy Initiative to validate Dalberg study on implementation of the AU declaration on land
Press release
Addis Ababa — The Land Policy Initiative will host a workshop on 30 September to evaluate recommendations arising from a study by Dalberg Global Development Advisors, which has developed a high level strategy and business plan; as well as an M&E framework to guide the implementation of the African Union declaration on land.
The study is in response to a call bythe AU Declaration on Land Issues and Challenges in Africa to "carry out studies on the establishment of an appropriate institutional framework that can support Member States in their efforts towards reviewing, developing and implementing land policies including mechanisms for progress tracking and reporting, as well as for the establishment of an African Fund for Land Policy.
The validation workshop will examine options and make recommendations aimed at advancing the LPI's activities in the coming years.
Land is central to Africa's transformation agenda, with most of its economies relying heavily on land-based sectors as the basis for economic growth and employment.
Secure access to land and secure land tenure rights are crucial ingredients to private sector involvement and investments in agriculture, fisheries, forestry and mining.
The LPI's mission is to ensure all land users have equitable access to land and security of all bundles of land rights. Its efforts are aimed at facilitating effective partnerships, dialogue and capacity building for participatory and consultative land policy formulation and implementation, as well as efficient and transparent land administration in both customary and statutory jurisdictions.
Background:
LPI was established by the African Union Commission (AUC), the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) in 2006.
From 2006-2009, the LPI was successful in generating knowledge, promoting dialogue and building consensus towards the development of a Framework and Guidelines on Land Policy in Africa endorsed by an AU Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Land and Agriculture in April 2009 as a viable tool for land policy development, implementation and monitoring in Africa.
And, in a Declaration on Land Issues and Challenges in Africa, the AU Heads of State and Government in July 2009 committed to providing leadership and allocating adequate resources for the application of the Framework and Guidelines to improve land governance, so that it can play its rightful role in transforming Africa's economies.
Issued by:
ECA External Communications and Media Relations Section
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: ecainfo[at]uneca[dot]org
www.uneca.org
