Global, Integrated Agrarian Reform

In preparation for the Second International Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ICARRD+20), hosted by the Colombian government, in collaboration with Brazil, the Food Sovereignty International Planning Committee (IPC) has gathered over 350 global members and local constituents at Cartagena de Indias, Colombia on 21–23 February 2026. Convening as the Forum of Peoples and Social Movements: United for Land, Water, Territories and Dignity,they consolidated their vision and actionable criteria for integrated agrarian reform to convey to ICARRD+20.

The official ICARRD+20 conference is gathering government representatives at Cartagena on 24-28 February to mark the 20th anniversary of the Agrarian Reform and Rural Development Initiative launched in 2006 at Porto Alegre, Brazil. That deliberation of over 90 states resulted in the ICARRD Declaration of commitments to progressive policies and actions in response to the complex crisis of climate change, persecution of land and environment defenders, and maldistribution of resources for, and benefits of development.

The IPC’s Working Group on Land, Forests, and Territories issued a position paper assessing international obligations and commitments to ensure equitable and sustainable access to, use of, and democratic control over land for food sovereignty and inclusive rural development.

The position paper highlights the continuing deepening crisis of increasing corporate land, water, and forest appropriation, expropriation, environmental degradation, rising hunger and malnutrition, and widening inequalities. It also addresses the systematic discrimination, exclusion and violence that rural communities, including women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, small-scale farmers, pastoralists, fishers, and agricultural workers face. All these food-producing groups are increasingly dispossessed of their land, livelihoods, and ways of life. The position paper emphasizes that food sovereignty and climate justice can only be achieved through redistribution policies that respect collective tenure and human rights. It calls on governments to implement their legal obligations and renew their political commitments to develop corresponding policy measures that pave the way for equitable and sustainable access to, use of, and democratic control over land, fisheries, forests, water, and agricultural resources. The IPC paper notes that this requires land redistribution and people-led rural development rooted in justice, equity, and the self-determination of peoples to implement binding structural changes that protect the livelihoods of small-scale food producers.

The vision of the Working Group’s position paper was summarized in the Forum’s political declaration: “Land for Life, Livelihood and a Livable Future for All.”

See the full position paper (in English)

See the Forum political declaration (in English)

Follow the Food Sovereignty International Planning Committee activities at ICARRD+20 here.