Inclusive land tenure governance and ensuring that human and legitimate land rights are respected and safeguarded is vital for achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). Without accessible and transparent grievance and accountability mechanisms, negative social, economic or environmental impacts may undermine efforts to achieve LDN and other development goals, especially at the local level. Decision 28/COP.16 of the UNCCD recognized the importance of accountability and grievance mechanisms in addressing land tenure issues. It called for the Secretariat and the Global Mechanism to enhance awareness of existing mechanisms, ensuring the widest possible reach among stakeholders.In response, the UNCCD-FAO Initiative on land tenure is developing a Compendium of accountability and grievance mechanisms related to land tenure to raise awareness on the diverse range of existing mechanisms, highlighting best practices in formal, informal and customary systems used across various levels — from local, national, regional to international — around the world.Call for submissionsTo support this initiative, the UNCCD and FAO are seeking case studies, reports, policy briefs, guidelines or any other written materials related to accountability, grievance or dispute resolution mechanisms at the local, municipal, provincial and national levels.These can include state-based judicial and non-judicial mechanisms, non-state-based mechanisms – customary, traditional, CSO-led or local mechanisms – regional or international mechanisms, business-led mechanisms and any other innovative and hybrid mechanisms.The submission must clearly outline:Relevance to land tenure and desertification, land degradation and droughtType of grievance or alternative dispute resolution mechanismInclusivity, accessibility and affordabilityEffectiveness and impactLong-term viability and sustainabilityHow to contributeDownload and fill out the submission form from the menu on the right. The deadline for initial submissions is 30 September 2025. You will receive a confirmation that your submission has been received. The submissions will be screened based the completeness and quality of the information provided, and the criteria above. A submission does not mean a guaranteed inclusion in the Compendium. Please to sure to provide your contact information for any follow-up. Your contribution will help shape a global resource that promotes the adoption of inclusive, accessible and transparent grievance and accountability mechanisms as a means to achieving LDN and other land restoration goals.

Following a key decision at COP16 in Riyadh in December 2024, the process to shape the future direction of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is now officially underway. The COP Bureau has approved the Terms of Reference for the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Future Strategic Framework (IWG-FSF), paving the way for nominations. The IWG-FSF will lead the development of a post-2030 strategy for the Convention. Its mandate includes identifying key elements, including possible goals and targets, for the future strategic framework, and conducting a thorough analysis of the current indicators used in national reporting.  Building on the milestones of the 2018–2030 Strategic Framework, the IWG-FSF will also consider lessons from its midterm evaluation, insights from the IWG on Drought and broader UN indicators, such as the Sustainable Development Goals. Each regional annex will nominate three representatives. In addition, the group will include five technical experts: one each from civil society and international organizations and three independent experts. The deadline to nominate civil society representatives is 26 May 2025The deadline to nominate independent science experts is 13 June 2025The deadline to nominate regional representatives is 4 July 2025 Final appointments will be made within two months of the Terms of Reference approval. The approved Terms of Reference will be shared with Parties through the UNCCD national focal points and science and technology correspondents. The IWG-FSF is expected to deliver an interim progress report at the 23rd session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 23) in December 2025.