CFS Policy Convergence Products Database

All financing institutions and other funding entities are encouraged to apply the Principles when formulating their policies for loans and grants, in the articulation of country investment portfolios and in co-financing with other partners. They should take appropriate measures so that their support to investors does not lead to violations of human and legitimate tenure rights, and is in line with the Principles. The provision of finance allows these institutions a unique leveraging position where they can communicate with a broad range of stakeholders about their roles, [...]

Inter-governmental and regional organizations have a key role to play in promoting responsible investment in agriculture and food systems. In doing so, they are encouraged to integrate the Principles into their own policies, frameworks with member States, programmes, research, outreach activities, technical assistance, and capacity building. They should take appropriate measures so that their support to investors does not lead to violations of human and legitimate tenure rights. Intergovernmental and regional organizations are encouraged to support the CFS to serve as a platform for [...]

Responsible investment in agriculture and food systems includes mechanisms to assess and address economic, social, environmental, and cultural impacts, considering smallholders, gender, and age, among other factors, and respects human rights and promotes accountability of each actor to all relevant stakeholders, especially the most vulnerable, by: i) Applying mechanisms that provide for independent and transparent assessments of potential impacts involving all relevant stakeholder groups, in particular the most vulnerable; ii) Defining baseline data and indicators for monitoring and to [...]

Responsible investment in agriculture and food systems respects legitimate tenure rights to land, fisheries, and forests, as well as existing and potential water uses, in line with: i) The Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries, and Forests in the Context of National Food Security, in particular, but not limited to, Chapter 12. ii) The Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication.

States and other parties should regularly review and monitor policy, legal and organizational frameworks to maintain their effectiveness. Implementing agencies and judicial authorities should engage with civil society, user representatives and the broader public to improve services and endeavour to prevent corruption through transparent processes and decision-making. Information about changes and their anticipated impacts should be clearly stated and widely publicized in applicable languages.

States should recognize that policies and laws on tenure rights operate in the broader political, legal, social, cultural, religious, economic and environmental contexts. Where the broader contexts change, and where reforms to tenure are therefore required, States should seek to develop national consensus on proposed reforms.

States should ensure that implementing agencies and judicial authorities serve the entire population, delivering services to all, including those in remote locations. Services should be provided promptly and efficiently using locally suitable technology to increase efficiency and accessibility. Internal guidelines should be established so that staff can implement policies and laws in a reliable and consistent manner. Procedures should be simplified without threatening tenure security or quality of justice. Explanatory materials should be widely publicized in applicable languages and [...]

States should define and publicize opportunities for civil society, private sector and academia to contribute to developing and implementing policy, legal and organizational frameworks as appropriate.