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Join us for the side event “Global Dialogue on Water Tenure for water & food security, social inclusion, and climate resilience”, organized in the framework of the 51st Committee on World Food Security (CFS) meeting. The event will focus on how security of water and land rights underpins food security, nutrition and climate resilience. It will offer fresh global perspectives on land and water tenure, building upon existing recommendations on water for food security and nutrition outlined by the High-Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE), as well as the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (VGGT).

A comprehensive understanding of how tenure regimes are legally defined, implemented, and safeguarded is essential for the sustainable and equitable management of land and water resources and is integral to their responsible governance. This is particularly critical for vulnerable populations and women, as secure tenure rights serve as a cornerstone for enhancing livelihoods, ensuring food security, promoting gender equality, and are vital determinants of climate resilience.

Drawing inspiration from the VGGT and backed by a mandate from the Committee on Agriculture (COAG), FAO has embarked on the organization of a Global Dialogue on Water Tenure. This initiative aims to establish guiding principles for the responsible governance of water tenure through an inclusive consultative process with Member States, civil society, academia and international organizations. FAO in collaboration with its partners, has developed innovative water tenure assessment methodologies to provide stakeholders with critical data to inform policy decisions and legislative reforms, advocate at all levels, and monitor national progress towards development and climate objectives. The event will present the latest results of water tenure assessments and explore opportunities for engagement in the Global Dialogue.

AGENDA

Friday, 27 October, 8:30 - 9:45 (CEST), FAO Sheikh Zayed Center, FAO Headquarters, Rome and on-line

Moderator, Ms Sasha Koo-Oshima, Deputy-Director, Land and Water Division, FAO

8:00    Welcome tea / coffee served in front of the venue; screening of the Video “What is Water Tenure and why is it important?”

8:30    Introductory remarks

• Mr Lifeng Li, Director, Land and Water Division, FAO 
• H.E. Muhamad Mardiono, Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Indonesia for Poverty Alleviation and Food Security Cooperation

8:40    Presentation “The road to the Global Dialogue on Water Tenure: Lessons from the VGGT and recent FAO work”

• Mr Benjamin Kiersch, Land and Water Division, FAO 
• Ms Sofia Espinosa, Land Tenure Team, FAO

8:50    Keynote presentation “The interface between Water tenure and human rights to food and water: The new ScaleWat project in support of the Global Dialogue of Water Tenure”

• Ms Susanne Schlaack, Director, Right of Food Division, Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Germany

9:00    Part 1: Water Tenure and Social Inclusion

Voices on Water Tenure, human rights, social inclusion and integrity

(Mr Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Right to Water and Sanitation, Ms Barbara Schreiner, Water Integrity Network,Ms Jessica Troell, Environmental Law Institute,)

Panel discussion

• Ms Susanne Schlaack, BMEL, Germany;
• Mr Alsaad Ndiazeye, Rwanda Water Board, Rwanda;
• Ms Rachael McDonnell, International Water Management Institute;
• Mr Sean Harverson, Director, Water Policy Division, Department of Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water, Australia;
• Mr Michael Taylor, International Land Coalition.

9:20    Part 2: Water tenure, food security and resilience

Voices on Water tenure, food security and resilience

(Ms Caitlin Doughty, The Nature Conservancy, Ms Ines Dombrowsky, German Institute for Development and Sustainability, Mr Carlos Alberto Gaitán Rodriguez, Territorial Coordinator, Organización nacional de los pueblos indígenas de la Amazonia Colombiana, OPIAC)  

Panel discussion

• Ms Susanne Schlaack, BMEL, Germany; Alsaad Ndiazeye, Rwanda Water Board, Rwanda;
• Ms Rachael McDonnell, International Water Management Institute;
• Mr Sean Harverson, Director, Water Policy Division, Department of Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water, Australia;
• Mr Michael Taylor, International Land Coalition.

9:40    Wrap-up

• Ms Sasha Koo-Oshima, FAO

9:45    End of the event

PARTNERS

The event is co-organized by FAO with the following supporting partners: Ministry of Food and Agriculture (Germany), Rwanda Water Resources Board, Government of Sri Lanka, Government of Australia, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (UK), Environmental Law Institute, International Water Management Institute, Rights and Resources Initiative, Water Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy Futures Centre of Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (Tanzania), German Institute of Development and Sustainability, The Nature Conservancy, Water Integrity Network