| dc.description | The fifth conference of Land Policy in Africa (CLPA) took place in Addis Ababa at AU Headquarters from 21-24 November 2023 under the theme: “Promoting Sustainable Land Governance in Africa for Accelerating Implementing of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA)”. CLPA was co-organized by the Government of Ethiopia and the African Land Policy Center, a joint initiative of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the African Union Commission (AUC), and the African Development Bank. Participants included experts from government, academia, research, traditional authorities, other non-state actors, the private sector, and development partners. The overall objective of the conference was to deepen commitment and strengthen capacity for land policy development, implementation, and monitoring in Africa through improved access to knowledge and information in support of evidence-based land policymaking. the dialogue also fostered improved networking, partnerships, and resources for land governance and land policy in Africa. H.E Hans Lundquist, Ambassador of Sweden to Ethiopia and Djibouti, and Permanent Representative to AU, IGAD, and UNECA, said that land is a fundamental resource that provides the foundation for the well-being of our societies. It is the resource upon which we build our homes, grow our food, and conduct our businesses. I know how important the implementation of clear and predictable land rights is for rural development, economic development, and integration. The system we have in Sweden is fundamental for landowners and their rights. We ensure that all men and women, particularly the poor and vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control of land and other forms of property. Sweden has worked to improve land governance in the IGAD regions since 2019. We are supporting capacity-building, innovations in land administration, land monitoring, and strengthening gender equality. Reducing barriers for women and youth to access and use land security implies investments in improving land governance. We can create a more equitable, prosperous, and sustainable continent for all Africans. | en |
