CFS Policy Convergence Products Database

Responsible investment in agriculture and food systems respects cultural heritage and traditional knowledge, and supports diversity, including genetic diversity, and innovation by: i) Respecting cultural heritage sites and systems, including traditional knowledge, skills, and practices; and recognizing the role of indigenous peoples and local communities in agriculture and food systems; ii) Recognizing the contributions of farmers, especially smallholders in all regions of the world, articularly those in centres of origin and diversity, in conserving, improving, and making available [...]

Responsible investment in agriculture and food systems promotes safety and health through: i) Promoting the safety, quality, and nutritional value of food and agricultural products; ii) Supporting animal health and welfare, and plant health, to sustainably increase productivity, product quality, and safety; iii) Improving the management of agricultural inputs and outputs, to enhance the efficiency of production and minimize potential threats to the environment and to plant, animal, and human health, including occupational hazards; iv) Managing and reducing risks to public health across [...]

Responsible investment in agriculture and food systems should abide by national legislation and public policies, and incorporate inclusive and transparent governance structures, processes, decision-making, and grievance mechanisms, accessible to all, through: i) Respecting the rule and application of law, free of corruption; ii) Sharing of information relevant to the investment, in accordance with applicable law, in an inclusive, equitable, accessible, and transparent manner at all stages of the investment cycle; iii) Engaging with and seeking the support of those who could be directly [...]

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 [...]

States have the primary responsibility for achieving food security and nutrition, fulfilling their obligations under international instruments relevant to the progressive realization of the right to adequate food in the context of national food security; and respecting, protecting and fulfilling the human rights of all individuals. States should set out clearly the expectation that investors domiciled in their territory and/or jurisdiction respect human rights throughout their operations. States should ensure, to the extent possible, that actions related to responsible investment in [...]

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 [...]

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, [...]

Research organizations, universities, academia, agricultural training centres, extension organizations and/or programmes should emphasize the integration of the Principles in their own policies, facilitate knowledge, exchange, and skills development, and address the innovation needed to increase smallholders' contributions to food security and nutrition. This can comprise a range of roles including identifying impacts, testing of field practices, technology and business models, and advising the government on policy reform or investors on practices related to agriculture and food systems. [...]

Smallholders, including those that are family farmers - women and men - are the main investors in their own agriculture and play a vital role in diversified, including sustainable, food systems. Smallholders and their organisations should apply the Principles, with particular attention to promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and youth, by: i) Increasing productivity and income, adding more value in their operations and using natural resources sustainably and efficiently, where applicable; ii) Strengthening their resilience; iii Managing risks, relevant to their context [...]

Business Enterprises involved in agriculture and food systems should apply the Principles with a focus on mitigating and managing risks to maximize positive and avoid negative impacts on food security and nutrition, relevant to their context and circumstances. Business enterprises have a responsibility to comply with national laws and regulations and any applicable international law, and act with due diligence to avoid infringing on human rights. Business enterprises involved in agriculture and food systems are encouraged to inform and communicate with other stakeholders, conduct due [...]

Civil society organizations involved in agriculture and food systems should apply the Principles and are encouraged to integrate them in their own policies and programmes. They are also encouraged to advocate for the appropriate use of the Principles, serve as drivers for transparency and accountability, and assist with building capacity with the aim of contributing to food security and nutrition. Civil society organizations are also encouraged to collaborate with other stakeholders at all stages of investments to use the Principles, as well as to monitor and assess the impacts of [...]

The role of workers in agriculture and food systems is vital. Workers and their organizations play a key role in promoting and implementing decent work, thereby contributing to efforts towards sustainable and inclusive economic development. They also have a crucial role in engaging in social dialogue with all other stakeholders to promote the application of the Principles in investments in agriculture and food systems, and in promoting the integration of the Principles in national laws and policies.

Communities, indigenous peoples, those directly affected by investments, the most vulnerable, and those working in agriculture and food systems are encouraged to actively engage and communicate with the other stakeholders in all aspects and stages of investments to promote awareness of and respect for their rights as outlined in the Principles.

Consumer organizations can contribute to the application of the Principles by informing and educating consumers about these Principles, and encouraging investment that respects these Principles.

1.1- These Voluntary Guidelines seek to improve governance of tenure of land, fisheries and forests. They seek to do so for the benefit of all, with an emphasis on vulnerable and marginalized people, with the goals of food security and progressive realization of the right to adequate food, poverty eradication, sustainable livelihoods, social stability, housing security, rural development, environmental protection and sustainable social and economic development. All programmes, policies and technical assistance to improve governance of tenure through the implementation of these Guidelines [...]

2.1- These Guidelines are voluntary. 2.2- These Guidelines should be interpreted and applied consistent with existing obligations under national and international law, and with due regard to voluntary commitments under applicable regional and international instruments. They are complementary to, and support, national, regional and international initiatives that address human rights and provide secure tenure rights to land, fisheries and forests, and also initiatives to improve governance. Nothing in these Guidelines should be read as limiting or undermining any legal obligations to which [...]

3.1- States should: 1) Recognize and respect all legitimate tenure right holders and their rights. They should take reasonable measures to identify, record and respect legitimate tenure right holders and their rights, whether formally recorded or not; to refrain from infringement of tenure rights of others; and to meet the duties associated with tenure rights. 2) Safeguard legitimate tenure rights against threats and infringements. They should protect tenure right holders against the arbitrary loss of their tenure rights, including forced evictions that are inconsistent with their [...]

These principles of implementation are essential to contribute to responsible governance of tenure of land, fisheries and forests. 1) Human dignity: recognizing the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable human rights of all individuals. 2) Non-discrimination: no one should be subject to discrimination under law and policies as well as in practice. 3) Equity and justice: recognizing that equality between individuals may require acknowledging differences between individuals, and taking positive action, including empowerment, in order to promote equitable tenure rights and access to [...]

States should strive to ensure responsible governance of tenure because land, fisheries and forests are central for the realization of human rights, food security, poverty eradication, sustainable livelihoods, social stability, housing security, rural development, and social and economic growth.

States should ensure that all actions regarding tenure and its governance are consistent with their existing obligations under national and international law, and with due regard to voluntary commitments under applicable regional and international instruments.