Development approaches based on natural resource exploitation at the expense of local communities have repeatedly proven inadequate for long-term” equitable development. 
 
This is largely because ownership of a majority of all forest and rural lands in the developing world remain deeply contested. Yet” many development institutions and governments have failed to fully understand the development potential that exists if local land rights are secured.
 
On the eve of the World Bank Land and Poverty Conference that drew more than 800 experts from around the world–the most in the conference's history–the World Bank issued a statement acknowledging that secure land rights are critical for addressing global poverty” a sign of growing appreciation for the role of land rights in development. The statement commits the Bank to strengthen its safeguards and integrate better project risk assessments on land tenure for World Bank investments; but until operationalized” the statement remains a letter of intent rather than a policy that can have real impact.

At the same time” poor people across the developing world continue to be dispossessed from their lands in increasing numbers by agribusiness” mining” and infrastructure development projects. And the lives and livelihoods of countless others stand to be affected by the reliance of many developing nations on the extraction of natural resources as a “quick-fix” development solution.
 
Particularly at risk are countries transitioning to democracy–such as Myanmar–which will face growing demands for their land and resources as barriers to trade and investment are relaxed. Given Myanmar's relatively untouched resource wealth and location between China and India” it comes as little surprise that as of January 2010″ the government had already granted 708″000 hectares to 216 companies” some in partnership with foreign firms.
 
Though Myanmar is undertaking important reforms” recent large scale land acquisitions have occurred at the expense of local peoples. As Southeast Asian populations and consumption grow” and the demand for resources increases” we are left with little hope that mechanisms to track and monitor these major land transfers keep pace.

However” dispossessing the rural poor of their land to make way for investments in agriculture” mining and other sectors is an injustice that can be prevented. The increased attention to the issues of forest and land rights by global agencies makes this a timely moment for affected communities” governments” forward-looking private investors” and organizations engaged in the struggle to secure community land rights to make responding to this crisis a global development priority. All of these actors have a stake in the lands at risk. Together” we can take advantage of this moment to mobilize new alliances and promote development models that fully respect local peoples' rights.

– Rights and Resources Initiative

P.S.  Learn more about RRI's work from January – March 2013″ and RRI's Rationale for Engagement in our 17 priority countries.