State of Rights and Resources 2013-2014

Press Release

New Study: Indigenous Peoples, Local Communities Face Slowdown in Recognition of Rights to Land and Resources despite More Verbal Commitments by Governments, Corporations. More than three out of every five hectares of forestland still claimed by governments of low and middle income countries; progress on the ground remains elusive

New RRI Analysis

RRI launched its annual review of the state of rights and resources in 2013-2014 at a panel event in London on February 5, 2014. For more information on the panel discussion, click here. [The discussion is being webcast live. Recordings will be available soon in English, French and Spanish.]

Lots of Words, Little Action: Will the private sector tip the scales for community land rights?
Despite many encouraging pronouncements on community land rights in 2013—from courts, governments, and some of the world’s largest corporations—there was much less evidence of action on the ground. In fact, new research by RRI reveals a global slowdown in the recognition of community rights in tropical forested countries. Despite some high-profile enactments, less new legislation has been passed since 2008 than in the preceding six years, and new laws are weaker than before. One possibility for more progress is the private sector. Can an enlightened private sector shift the balance decisively away from a corporate land rush and towards community and indigenous land rights?
Media Contacts

To arrange interviews with the authors or speakers at the panel discussion, or for more information please contact:

Key Spokespeople

Download all speaker biographies

• Abdon Nababan – Secretary General, Indigenous Peoples’ Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN)
• Duncan Pollard – Associate Vice President, Stakeholders Engagement in Sustainability, Nestlé
• Megan MacInnes – Campaign Leader for Land, Global Witness
• Raul Silva Telles do Valle – Policy and Rights Program Coordinator, Instituto Socioambiental (ISA)
• Joji Cariño – Director, Forest Peoples Programme
• Fred Pearce – journalist and author of The Land Grabbers: The New Fight over Who Owns the Earth
• Andy White – Coordinator, Rights and Resources Initiative
• Jenny Springer – Director, Global Programs, Rights and Resources Initiative

Additional Resources

• Agenda
• RRI At a Glance