Press release
19 June 2025, Bogotá - The Global Land Forum concluded today with renewed commitments to place land rights at the center of peace-building, sustainability and justice.
Held for the first time in Colombia, the 10th edition of the Forum was preceded by assemblies of Indigenous Peoples, Youth, and Afro-Descendants, each resulting in powerful declarations reflecting the leadership of historically marginalised communities.
Hosted by the International Land Coalition (ILC) together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, CINEP/PPP, and the European Union, the Forum brought together over 1,200 participants from more than 90 countries. Government officials, grassroots leaders, women, youth, and representatives of Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities came together to reaffirm a shared commitment: land rights are fundamental to building a just, sustainable, and peaceful future.
After 20 years, Colombia is set to host the 2nd International Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development +20 (ICARRD+20) in February 2026. The Forum served as a milestone in positioning Colombia as a global leader in advancing redistributive land reform as a foundation for peace.
“Today we are ready to build agrarian reform, rural development, and our agri-food systems in a just, resilient, and sustainable way — guided by the voices and hands of the communities, who are the architects, the essence, the goal, the purpose, the heart, and the hope of our work within our bureaucracies.” reaffirmed Martha Carvajalino, Colombia’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.
“The fact that the Global Land Forum is being held here in Colombia is, without a doubt, an opportunity to keep alive the flame we have believed in from within the social and popular movement. That flame is rooted in the belief in a different, just Colombia — one that recognises its peoples and restores the dignity that war and greed have taken from them,” she added.
Looking ahead, Marcy Vigoda, Director of the International Land Coalition reaffirmed ILC’s commitment to work in collaboration with its national members and the Colombian government towards ICARRD+20.
“We thank the people and government of Colombia for their warm welcome and leadership. Their commitment to agrarian land reform, climate justice and sustainable food systems as a foundation for peace — in partnership with communities — offers hope in a fragmented world and reminds us that land rights are key to justice, reconciliation, and resilience. " affirms Marcy Vigoda. “ILC stands ready to support and be part of ICARRD+20 to help carry this momentum forward.” she added.
A central element of the Forum was the Political Roadmap, developed by more than 50 organisations that joined a National Organising Committee facilitated by CINEP/PPP. The Roadmap serves as a tool for dialogue and advocacy with public institutions and other actors, to ensure concrete commitments for securing land and territorial rights.
"It has been a great space for discussion and collective building, where the voices of Colombian grassroots organisations took center stage. There is still a long road ahead — in the coming months, we will strengthen our Political Roadmap and continue working for agrarian reform, food sovereignty, and climate justice," said Javier Medina Bernal of CINEP/PPP.
A key highlight of the Forum was the global observance of the United Nations’ Desertification and Drought Day on 17 June with the theme, "Restore the land. Unlock the оpportunities," and hosted by the Government of Colombia and UNCCD, drawing global attention to the urgent need for land restoration in the face of climate change.
Four days of intense deliberations will culminate in a Forum Declaration, to be endorsed tomorrow by ILC’s global network of 323 organisations across 83 countries.