Progress on SDG land rights commitments

WHERE ARE WE AT?

Secure land rights for all—women and men, regardless of ethnicity or religion, or civil, economic, social, or political status—are foundational for achieving a world free of poverty, hunger, and systematic gender discrimination.

In 2015, we celebrated when world leaders recognized the critical importance of land rights within Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. Member States’ ambitious written commitments, however, have not been followed by on-the-ground action.

Since 2020 we have reviewed countries’ Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) annually to ascertain what steps toward meeting land rights targets countries are making. While we found some promising steps—some countries have localized their commitments into their national plans, allocated new resources, or advanced ambitious reforms— the majority have not prioritized land rights in their development agendas or undertaken significant action.

In this year’s review of VNRs we found even less reported action than in previous years. It is now more critical than ever to direct the focus of world leaders on land rights. As Member States reconvene for the 2024 High Level Political Forum, this review of VNRs and related indicators paints a stark picture of the lack of action.