About the Author: Ambassador Ertharin Cousin serves as U.S. Representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture. Secure access to and control of land and land-based resources is absolutely critical to agricultural development, economic growth, food security, and women’s economic empowerment. ![Farmers take cattle through Ghibe Valley in Ethiopia, June 1, 2002. [AP File Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2011_0629_land_rights_m.jpg)
The United States has been at the forefront of efforts to improve the governance of land rights and access for several years, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).
Important strides in land tenure governance were made last week when the Open Ended Working Group (OEWG) for the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries, and Forests met at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome.… more »
U.S. Plays Key Role in Advancing Global Voluntary Guidelines for Land Use and Property Rights
