Land tenure
Land tenure and governance
Land tenure security and responsible governance of natural resources are critical in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region, where growing pressure on land and water threatens food security, livelihoods and stability. Rapid population growth, urban expansion, climate change and conflict are intensifying competition over land, while in many countries, land tenure systems remain fragmented or insufficiently regulated.
Globally, only about 35 percent of land is formally documented, and the NENA region has some of the highest levels of perceived tenure insecurity, with nearly 29 percent of people at risk of losing their land or housing. Weak governance frameworks, limited data and inadequate planning further constrain effective land management. At the same time, cities are expanding into fertile agricultural areas, while conflict and displacement increase pressure on scarce natural resources.
Strengthening land tenure is essential to support investment in sustainable practices, restore degraded land and build resilience through more integrated and inclusive governance.
FAO’s work in action
FAO supports NENA countries in strengthening land tenure and improving the governance of natural resources through:
Promoting responsible governance of tenure through the application of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests (VGGT)
Strengthening land policies and institutions to improve transparency, coordination and sustainable land management
Enhancing equitable access to land, with a focus on women, youth and marginalized groups
Improving land data and planning systems to support informed and inclusive decision-making
Advancing integrated territorial approaches, linking land and water management within broader landscape and watershed planning
