The international normative frameworks that aim to regulate land management by States, individuals and private transnational actors vary greatly. Some are compulsory, others are voluntary, and the basis for protecting different land-related interests shifts accordingly.

Much of the current international thinking on land issues centres around the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Land Tenure regimes adopted in 2012 by the Committee on World Food Security.

To help consider the scope, advantages and limitations of these Guidelines, this paper describes the international regulatory setting in
which they operate and highlights areas where further analysis is needed to develop global strategies for better governance of land and natural resources.

This document is also available in French here.