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JansenBicchieri LANDac2017 Abstract 28022017

The conference paper discusses the importance of recognizing customary tenure in the Mekong Region to support rural households, which make up 68% of the population. It emphasizes the need for secure tenure rights as outlined in the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure (VGGT) to combat hunger, poverty, and promote sustainable development. The paper highlights the diverse customary tenure systems that reflect local ecosystems and social relations, advocating for responsible governance that respects these systems amidst challenges like population growth and climate change.

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21 views2 pages

JansenBicchieri LANDac2017 Abstract 28022017

The conference paper discusses the importance of recognizing customary tenure in the Mekong Region to support rural households, which make up 68% of the population. It emphasizes the need for secure tenure rights as outlined in the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure (VGGT) to combat hunger, poverty, and promote sustainable development. The paper highlights the diverse customary tenure systems that reflect local ecosystems and social relations, advocating for responsible governance that respects these systems amidst challenges like population growth and climate change.

Uploaded by

Dar Li
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Recognition of customary tenure in the Mekong Region to leave no one behind

Conference Paper · June 2017

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Louisa J M Jansen Marianna Bicchieri


Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations De Montfort University
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LANDac Annual International Conference 2017
“Leave No One Behind: Setting the Land Agenda to 2030”, 29-30 June 2017, Utrecht, The Netherlands

Recognition of customary tenure in the Mekong Region to leave no one behind

Louisa J.M. Jansen1 and Marianna Bicchieri2


1 FAO Partnerships, Advocacy and Capacity Development Division, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy.
2 FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, 39 Phra Athit Road, Phranakorn District, 10200 Bangkok, Thailand.

Abstract

Endorsed in 2012 by the Committee on World Food Security, the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible
Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (VGGT) promote
secure tenure rights and equitable access to land, fisheries and forests as a means of eradicating hunger and
poverty, supporting sustainable development and enhancing the environment. As the global political statement
and guidance on how responsible governance of tenure should be addressed, the VGGT are the key accepted
reference point, setting out principles and internationally accepted standards for responsible practices.
With the agreement of the Sustainable Development Goals, in September 2015, global recognition of the critical
importance of tenure, access to resources and their governance to achieving sustainable development has been
secured within a broad, comprehensive framework. The principles of the VGGT are increasingly strongly
embedded in institutional frameworks.
In the Mekong Region1, access to land and natural resources is the most important source for rural households.
About 68% of the population is rural. This means that millions of people depend on access to farmland and
rangelands, to fisheries, and to forests for their livelihoods. Most of these rural areas are governed by customary
tenure systems that are extremely diverse, reflecting different ecosystems, economies, cultures, spiritual values
and social relations. Such systems tend to embed tenure rights in social relationships and to place considerable
emphasis on collective rights, vesting tenure rights with often multiple, overlapping and “nested” social units
(e.g., individual rights within households, households within family networks, family networks within wider
communities). In keeping with the VGGT, recognizing and respecting customary tenure will allow rural
populations the enjoyment of their legitimate rights, and being able to safeguard these rights against threats and
infringements. This is increasingly necessary with population growth, climate change, land-based investments,
commoditization of forest resources and ecosystem services, and urbanization.
Responsible governance of customary tenure is important, and it is important to do it in ways that reflect the
interests of rural households, and ensure that people are able to exercise their tenure rights and duties.

Words: 353.

1 Limited to Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam.

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