Land is more than just a resource—it is the foundation of livelihoods, economic stability, and social justice. Responsible land governance plays a crucial role in sustainable development, conflict prevention, and climate resilience. These themes were central to the Third Arab Land Conference which took place the 18-20th February 2025 in Morocco, where policymakers, experts, and civil society organizations gathered to discuss pressing land challenges in the region. 

The 2025 Arab Land Conference marked an important milestone in the global effort to protect housing and property rights for refugees and displaced persons with the launch of the Pinheiro Principles Handbook for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This publication—developed through years of consultations, case studies, and collaborative efforts by UN agencies (FAO, IOM, OHCHR, UN-Habitat, NRC, and UNHCR)—aims to provide concrete guidance on implementing the Pinheiro Principles to restore the housing and land rights of displaced populations in the region.

The High-Level Session on Land Management in Times of Crisis at the Third Arab Land Conference convened policymakers, experts, and practitioners to explore how effective land governance can mitigate these challenges, prevent future conflicts, and drive resilience.

In a rapidly urbanizing Arab region facing pressing challenges such as climate change, land scarcity, forced displacement, and governance gaps, the Third Arab Land Conference convened in Morocco to chart a path forward. Ministers, international experts, and key stakeholders gathered to discuss sustainable land governance, investment-driven solutions, and inclusive policies to foster stability, economic growth, and social equity.

This data story discusses the background of conflicts and displacement in Burundi to explore the challenges of implementing a land registration initiative in the Makamba District, an area that sees a high number of past refugees returning home.

The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HIIL) and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) are delighted to announce a new collaboration for complementary LAND-at-scale activities in Iraq. Activities focus on justice innovation and support: by scouting, vetting, selecting and supporting promising local and existing justice initiatives in Northern Iraq, HIIL aims to strengthen the localization of justice solutions for Iraqi people.

The Saameynta Joint Programme is a project aimed at achieving durable solutions for internally displaced people in Somalia, which currently hosts 3.8 million IDPs. Land governance is at the center of this effort, understanding that tenure security is a fundamental piece of the puzzle to enable durable solutions.

What I learned about land rights from people who don't work in land rights

The USAID-funded Land for Prosperity Activity  is developing capacity in land administration across all levels of government to strengthen land rights in underfunded municipalities across Colombia.

How a land surveyor in a rural Land Office in Colombia has overcome challenges to find herself in a career dominated by men.

By Yuliya Panfil, Jon Unruh and Michael Cholod

Seven months have passed since Russia invaded Ukraine, displacing more than 13 million people—one-third of the country’s population—and leveling entire towns. 

And yet, despite all odds, Ukraine is turning the tide against its more powerful neighbor. Ukrainian forces have staged a rapid counter-offensive, liberating thousands of square miles of territory that displaced Ukrainians are beginning to return to.

USAID is supporting the government with a strategy to create municipal land offices that manage local land administration campaigns and deliver land titles to rural Colombians