The Third Arab Land Conference, held in Rabat, Morocco from 18-20 February 2025 opened an avenue of possibilities for improving policies and practices to govern land in the Arab world. From the launch of several groundbreaking initiatives to empowering women and youth, and fostering data transparency and academic excellence, the event showcased commitments and collaborative work shaping the future of land governance in the region.
A landmark declaration for inclusive land governance
The conference culminated in the adoption of the Morocco Declaration for Land Governance. This landmark document outlines collective actions and commitments aimed at advancing land governance in the Arab region. It emphasizes the need for inclusive land policies to ensure adequate housing, enhance land data systems, and support sustainable rural transformation. The Declaration includes twelve actionable measures, focusing on regional cooperation, inclusive investment, sustainable housing, digital innovation in land administration, and strengthening land tenure security. It also advocates for gender-responsive governance, integrated land use for food security, and new legal frameworks to protect land rights while facilitating private investment. This Declaration serves as a roadmap for future land governance initiatives in the Arab states.
Another key highlight of the conference was the launch of the Pinheiro Principles Handbook for the MENA Region, marking the 20th anniversary of the Pinheiro Principles, which focus on housing and property restitution for refugees and displaced persons. Developed through consultations, case studies, and joint efforts by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), the International Oganization for Migration (IOM), the UN Human Rights, the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the handbook serves as a critical tool for advancing housing rights and fostering durable peace in the region.
It provides practical guidance for national and international actors involved in protecting the housing, land, and property rights of displaced populations. Targeting professionals in intergovernmental organizations, NGOs, and government institutions engaged in humanitarian aid, post-conflict recovery, and development, the handbook aims to facilitate sustainable solutions by applying the Pinheiro Principles to displacement contexts across the Middle East and North Africa.
Elevating education, equity, and youth leadership
The conference also hosted the launch of the Arab Academic Excellence Network for Land Governance, an initiative bringing together leading Arab universities to drive innovation, enhance professional skills, and tackle critical land challenges, including climate resilience, food security, and community empowerment. This event underscored the importance of regional academic collaboration in shaping sustainable land governance solutions, with the network poised to redefine the future of land administration in the Arab world.
The high-level session on Women’s Land Rights highlighted the complex intersection of religious, cultural, and legal systems that shape women’s access to land in the region. Despite legal recognition, social norms and administrative hurdles continue to limit women’s ability to claim and register land ownership. The session revealed that only 5% of women in the Arab region have their names on land or property documents, one of the lowest rates globally. Discussions underscored the challenges of data gaps, particularly in rural and conflict-affected areas, and the need for gender-sensitive land governance. Encouraging examples, such as Oman’s relatively high urban female land ownership rate, were presented alongside promising initiatives, including community-driven land registration projects and legal reforms. Panelists stressed the importance of regional collaboration, standardized data collection, and stakeholder engagement to drive progress in securing women’s housing, land, and property rights.
The Youth and Land Assembly at the Third Arab Land Conference, organized in collaboration with the Noon Centre for Equality and Diversity and the University of East London, highlighted the vital role of young people in shaping resilient and inclusive cities. With youth making up to 60% of urban populations in the Arab region, the session emphasized the need to strengthen tenure security and ensure access to housing, land, and property (HLP) rights. Discussions explored cultural resilience and showcased youth-led initiatives driving positive urban transformation. Innovative approaches presented in the session demonstrated how young people are contributing to improved land governance, social inclusion, and sustainable urban development.
Grassroots leadership and civil society engagement
The Civil Society Assembly highlighted the vital role of National Land Coalitions (NLCs) in strengthening grassroots participation and advocating for land rights. Discussions showcased how NLCs have successfully engaged civil society, government, and other stakeholders to influence policy and address key challenges. Efforts focused on legislative reforms, climate resilience, and protecting small-scale farmers, while coalitions also played a crucial role in advocating for land rights amid political and legal complexities. The session underscored the importance of regional collaboration, flexible governance models, and inclusive decision-making to advance people-centered land governance in the Arab world.
Innovation, resilience, and regional solutions
Land data accessibility, transparency, and collaboration were key themes at the conference, with a strong focus on tools for resilience. Discussions highlighted the need to strengthen legal frameworks for data sharing, improve national data portals, and integrate people-centered indicators to make land data more actionable. Experts emphasized the role of open data initiatives, mapping platforms, and geospatial technologies in assessing land governance performance and supporting decision-making. Case studies demonstrated how land information systems, Multi-Purpose Cadastres (MPCs), and National Spatial Data Infrastructures (NSDIs) enhance land management and climate resilience. The discussions underscored the importance of cross-sectoral cooperation between governments, academia, and civil society to bridge data gaps and ensure inclusive, informed land governance.
Finally, the conference featured a diverse range of thematic discussions addressing key land governance challenges in the region. Biodiversity and drought resilience were explored in relation to global climate commitments, emphasizing how secure land tenure can drive sustainable environmental solutions. Housing, land, and property rights in displacement and crisis were highlighted as essential for post-crisis recovery and reconstruction. Land-based financing and valuation were examined as tools for sustainable urban development, focusing on regulatory and institutional barriers to effective implementation. Urban sprawl, informal settlements, and inadequate housing were addressed through innovative land governance, urban planning strategies, and modern technologies, with discussions on land administration reforms and the use of GIS for better planning. Additionally, Fit-For-Purpose Land Administration and Geospatial AI (GeoAI) were explored as transformative tools for land management, property registration, and sustainable investments, demonstrating how Multi-Purpose Cadastres (MPCs) and National Spatial Data Infrastructures (NSDIs) can enhance tenure security and governance.
For more insights about the Arab Land Conference 2025
Different people and organizations may gather different perspectives from the same event. For additional insights on the Arab Land Conference, we suggest checking the summary article by the International Land Coalition (ILC) and the key takeaways from the Conference opening session published by the Arab Land Initiative.
