Addis Ababa, November 10, 2025 (FMC) — The Sixth African Land Policy Conference (CLPA2025) officially commenced today at the United Nations Conference Centre in Addis Ababa, bringing together policymakers, researchers, civil society representatives, and traditional authorities to discuss land governance, justice, and reparations for Africans and descendants of the African diaspora.
Organized jointly by the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the four-day hybrid conference is focusing on advancing sustainable land management policies and addressing the legacy of colonial land dispossession that continues to affect access and ownership across the continent.
Delegates are set to examine emerging best practices in land policy, strategies to strengthen transparency in land governance institutions, and improvements in data monitoring and evaluation. Cross-cutting issues such as youth, gender, climate change, agriculture, and reparations are central to discussions.
Organizers highlighted the enduring impact of colonial-era land seizures, which concentrated fertile land and resources in the hands of colonizers’ descendants, while historically marginalized communities continue to struggle for equitable access.
Addressing these disparities is considered critical for food security, sustainable livelihoods, and the preservation of indigenous knowledge systems.
The conference, which runs through November 13, is widely regarded as a key platform for dialogue on land governance and policy development across Africa.