Highlights from the 2025 Global Land Forum in Bogotá, Colombia

The 10th Global Land Forum, held in Bogotá, Colombia, brought together over 1,200 participants from more than 90 countries to emphasize the critical role of land rights in peace-building, sustainability, and justice. Preceding the main event were assemblies of Indigenous Peoples, Youth, and Afro-Descendants, each delivering powerful declarations that highlighted the leadership of historically marginalised communities. The Forum also coincided with the United Nations’ Desertification and Drought Day, drawing global attention to the urgent need for land restoration amid climate change.

A key achievement of the Forum was the development of a Political Roadmap by over 50 organisations, coordinated by CINEP/PPP, designed to guide advocacy and secure concrete commitments for land and territorial rights. The Forum positioned Colombia as a global leader in advancing redistributive land reform, setting the stage for the upcoming 2nd International Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development +20 (ICARRD+20) in February 2026.

The EMENA members participated in both the Indigenous Peoples' and Youth pre-events, as well as in field visits and in numerous sessions and labs. These includes the following:

LAB D | CARBON ASSESSMENTS AND MARKETS IN PASTORAL SYSTEMS

LAB E | COMMON LANDS: BUILDING ON THE MOMENTUM FOR EUROPEAN LOCAL COMMUNITIES

BOS 10:CLIMATE AND NATURE SOLUTIONS TO THE LAND TEST: A REALITY CHECK ON CONFLICT, RESISTANCE, OPPORTUNITIES AND ALTERNATIVES.

BOS20 | TRANSFORMING FOOD SYSTEMS: FINDING THE NEXUS OF LAND RIGHTS, AGROECOLOGY AND JUSTICE

BOS21 | LANDMARK IN ACTION: BUILDING REGIONAL COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE FOR GLOBAL IMPACT

BOS22 | WOMEN’S LAND RIGHTS AND THE 3 RIO CONVENTIONS

PANEL | WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE FOOD SYSTEMS RESILIENT, FAIR AND SUSTAINABLE?

EVENING SESSION | STORIES FROM PALESTINE: Day to day realites.

The Forum’s four days of intense dialogue culminated in a Declaration endorsed by ILC’s global network of 323 organisations across 83 countries, reinforcing a shared commitment to place land rights at the heart of justice, reconciliation, and climate action. This milestone event renews global momentum toward building a just and sustainable future where land rights empower communities and drive transformative change.

After four days filled with fruitful discussions and necessary reflections, here are the 5 main takeaways for the the EMENA region.

1. Linking agrifood systems with a just energy transition is essential for sustainable development. Across the EMENA region, numerous energy transition projects are underway, but these often compromise the livelihoods of local communities who depend on the land, increasing their vulnerability and eroding traditional practices. EMENA members are committed to ensuring that people are placed at the center of decision-making for energy transition projects, drawing on knowledge and experiences from other regions to achieve truly just outcomes.
   
2. Good land governance cannot be achieved without gender justice. Women’s roles in land governance and their equal access to land are fundamental for inclusive tenure security, fostering both development and community investment in land. Ensuring gender equality in land rights is critical for building resilient and equitable societies.
   
3. Youth remain the most marginalised group regarding land access and decision-making. Despite their potential to drive climate action and sustainability, young people are often excluded from land-related processes. Investing in capacity development and providing the necessary tools and knowledge will empower youth to actively participate and contribute to sustainable land governance.
   
4. Mapping natural resources, biodiversity, and territories is a vital advocacy tool for people-centered land governance. Comprehensive data layers highlight the positive impact of communities on biodiversity conservation, help safeguard traditional practices, and strengthen social cohesion—thereby reducing rural-to-urban migration.
   
5. Robust knowledge and research are urgently needed in the EMENA region to support effective advocacy and tangible improvements on the ground. As one of the most diverse regions, EMENA faces shared challenges that require deeper research and reliable data to inform policy and practice.