Addis Ababa — The Expert Group Meeting (EGM) organized by the Land Policy Initiative (LPI) from 30 June to 2 July to review for finalization the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework and an implementation plan for piloting the Framework recommended, among others, the establishment of a technical advisory group that would guide the process and exercise quality control. The meeting also recommended that an expert be appointed as the lead writer in crafting the final document, under LPI supervision.
"We had very good, productive days," noted Mr. Stephen Karingi, the Director of the Regional Integration and Trade Division (RITD) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). "It is of utmost importance that we establish mechanisms to hold ourselves and each other accountable, and to monitor results in land policy development and implementation," Mr. Karingi added. He also appreciated the participants' valuable contributions in the process that will help to advance the implementation of the African Union Declaration on land issues and challenges in Africa.
Another recommendation issued from the meeting was the establishment of a mechanism to get continuous feedback from stakeholders and partners such as the regional economic commissions, and civil society organizations. The meeting also noted the need for the LPI to prepare guidelines for the piloting of the M&E Framework at country level, a process which is planned to be conducted within a six-month to one year timeframe.
The third day of the EGM was dedicated to discussing modalities for advocating for the inclusion of land issues and indicators in Africa in the post-2015 agenda. Participants agreed on the need for the ECA/LPI and UN-Habitat to seize the windows of opportunities so that land issues are included in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Some of the recommended actions are the organization of consultations, forums, and side events at important SDG-related meeting. Participants also encouraged the two organizations to join efforts with different institutions in the implementation and follow-up of the SDG process, and to identify mechanisms and strategies to convey key messages on land issues and concerns in Africa to relevant audiences.
The Land Policy Initiative is a joint programme of the tripartite consortium consisting of the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). Its mandate is to facilitate the implementation of the AU Declaration on Land Issues and Challenges in Africa.
