FAO launches the Global Dialogue on Water Tenure for Food Security, Climate Adaptation and Social Inclusion

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched the Global Dialogue on Water Tenure during a high-level side event on National Leadership for Inclusive Water Governance at the UN 2023 Water Conference.

The initiative, a commitment to the Water Action Agenda, a main outcome of the Conference, aims to establish principles for responsible governance of water tenure through inclusive and consultative processes involving Member States, UN partners, civil society, academia and the private sector.

“The Dialogue will address the increasingly pressing issue of water allocation under scenarios of diminishing freshwater resources due to climate change and evolving needs for water”, said Sasha Koo-Oshima, Deputy Director of the FAO Land and Water Division, at the launch.

With the global population projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, agricultural production must rise by almost 50 per cent, relying heavily on irrigation. Balancing investment security and flexibility is crucial, and responsible water tenure governance can play a significant role in achieving this balance.

Water tenure arrangements encompass both formal laws and customary arrangements, which ensure water rights for various individuals and groups, including vulnerable populations, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities. 

• Explore FAO’s Global Dialogue on Water Tenure here.