This report is the first in a series of research studies that the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) will produce with a view to improving the understanding of the links between land tenure systems and sustainable development in Africa. In a continent where 80 percent of the population relies on agriculture for their livelihood, the formulation and implementation of appropriate land policies is a paramount factor in poverty reduction strategies. Research is therefore needed to help policymakers take learned decisions when addressing land tenure issues.

This workshop took place from 27 to 29 March 2006. The discussions were informed by an issues/discussion paper. The meeting brought together representatives from African governments, regional economic communities, and civil society including farmers’ organizations, African private sector, centres of excellence and development partners.

The main functions of the Department of Surveys and Lands (DSL) are the recording and supply of land, mapping, survey and remote sensing information. In addition the department provides professional services and advice on these subjects, mainly to other government Departments and aid projects. It also does compulsory acquisition work for parastatal organizations and provides an information and sales service on its products to the public.

The expert group meeting was held in the spirit of the Lagos Plan of Action,particularly chapters I and IX dealing with Food and Agriculture,UNEP Governing Council decision SC.11/7 of may 1983 on the program budget for 1984, part eight on the Regional Program for Africa, dealing with, inter alias, the prevention of

post harvest food losses and encroachment on arable land. The objective of the meeting was to review on-going activities and identify gaps where future activities should he directed.

The expert group meeting was held in the spirit of the Lagos Plan of Action9 particularly chapters I and IX dealing with Food and Agriculture, and UNEP Governing Council decision GC.11/7 of May 19C3 on the programme budget, for 1984, part eight on the Regional Programme for Africa, dealing with, inter alia, the prevention of post harvest food losses and encroachment on arable land. The objective of the meeting was to review on-going activities and identify gaps where future activities should be directed.

As in many of the States of Equatorial-Africa, Chad's system of public

and private land tenure is based on the French decree of 28 March 1699 and on the subsequent modifying texts. This system has not been very successful and Africans have proudly clung on to their respective "concessions", because they enjoyed a material hold over the land (habitation, farming, grazing, fishing m -certain water courses), until i960 and beyond.

Land is the raw material of nearly all wealth, but neither the development nor the administration of any plot of land can be planned economically or carried out efficiently without complete and accurate knowledge of its size, its boundaries, its neighbors, its owners and the natural and artificial features within its borders.

The Guidelines for the Development of Curricula on Land Governance in Africa support the implementation of the AU Declaration on land issues and Challenges in Africa, in particular the call for Member States to, “Build adequate human, financial, technical capacities to support land policy development and implementation”.

The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) is a mutually agreed instrument established in 2003 by the African Union in the framework of the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). The objective of the APRM is to foster the adoption of policies, standards and practices that lead to political stability, high economic growth, sustainable development and accelerated regional and continental integration. The thematic intervention areas of the APRM are democracy and political governance; economic governance; cooperate governance, and; socioeconomic governance.