This webinar is organized jointly with the European Commission Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development, in the framework of the FAO-EU Partnership Programme: Food and Nutrition Security Impact, Resilience, Sustainability and Transformation (FIRST). SPEAKERS: 1.Mr. Paul De Wit, Senior Land Tenure Consultant, FIRST Programme, FAO Representation in Myanmar 2. Ms.

Millions of people worldwide depend on natural resources such as land, fisheries and forests that are used collectively as commons. Commons are essential to culture, identity and well-being. As a source of food and income, they are an important safety-net, especially for the most marginalized and vulnerable people. The Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security provide a historic opportunity to recognize and secure tenure rights to commons.

The key message of this video is that secure tenure rights provide the foundation for economic growth, enhanced food security and nutrition, reduced conflict, and improved natural resource management while also improving the overall investment environment, thereby fostering increased investment.

The Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security is the first global exhaustive tool on the tenure of land and natural resources developed through an open inter-governmental process with the full and effective participation of a vast array of relevant actors. In such document, internationally accepted principles and norms were established to define responsible practices for the use and control of land, fisheries and forests.

Indigenous Peoples representatives talk about the challenges they face over the control of their natural resources, land and territories; and the way these are integral to indigenous communities’ food security, biodiversity conservation and general well-being.

The project “Increase the use of the Voluntary Guidelines on Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security among CSOs and grassroots organizations” has started in September 2014 thanks to a contribution of the Kingdom of Belgium. Its first phase, ended in December 2015, has involved seven countries: Guatemala, South Africa, Malawi, Myanmar, Niger, Senegal and Nepal.

This video highlights the events of the training of trainers on "Increasing the use of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forest (VGGT) among CSOs and Grassroots Organizations in the Philippines" held on 11-14 July 2016 in Tagaytay City, Philippines.

Why Land Still Matters: Three Years of the Voluntary Guidelines - Where We Are and Where We Are Going Moderator: Heath Cosgrove, USAID's Land Tenure and Resource Management Office Panelists: Paul Munro-Faure, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations; Annalisa Mauro, International Land Coalition (ILC); and Dr. Joan Cuka Kagwanja, Land Policy Initiative, UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)

Statements on the national implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests.

The Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries, and Forests in the Context of National Food Security represent an inclusive, transparent international agreement on the governance of tenure to promote food security and sustainable development by protecting the legitimate tenure rights of millions of people and improving secure access to land, fisheri (Read more at