Gltn Partners Meeting, Reinvigorating Global Alliances for Land Governance and Tenure Security

Globally, an estimated 70% of the world's population lacks formal land tenure leaving vulnerable populations susceptible to eviction, undermining livelihoods, exacerbating vulnerability to economic shocks, and significantly impeding the realization of human rights, including those pertaining to adequate housing, food, and a dignified standard of living. The burgeoning urban population intensifies pressure on peri-urban and urban land, frequently leading to involuntary displacement often without due compensation or alternative livelihood, further exacerbating existing tenure insecurities. UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan (2026-2029) recognizes the social function of land and its centrality in enabling inclusive economic growth and prosperity to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities, with a focus on addressing the global challenges through adequate housing, land, and basic services for all, including the transformation of informal settlements and slums. Since its establishment in 2006, the Global Land Tool Network (GLTN) has been working to address the growing tenure insecurity in developing countries, cognizant of the fact that conventional approaches to land administration often fail to deliver the systemic and inclusive change urgently required, especially for the poor and vulnerable populations. In the recent past, it has become increasingly difficult to sustain land interventions due to funding limitations even where GLTN has had exceptional progress with regards to land reforms. Many development partners and donors have revised their funding mechanisms as well as priorities. A global shift in needs, resources, and donor interest calls for re-assessing, rethinking and reforming the GLTN partnership. Objectives (a) To coalesce diverse perspectives among GLTN partners into a unified global agenda for land governance, emphasizing the catalytic role of secure tenure in achieving SDG aspirations; (b) to harmonize and create a consistent, unified and compelling messaging re-establishing why land administration, land tenure and land governance issues are a priority for All; (c) to conduct a re-mapping of the GLTN partners, to re-affirm the GLTN vision, redefine priorities and areas for future engagement; (d) to foster renewed commitment, strengthen strategic partnerships, and discuss the integration of innovative financing mechanisms to support global land initiatives; and (e) to discuss a roadmap with actionable steps for 2026.