Customary and Statutory Land Administration Challenges amidst Climate Change: Grassroot Voices

The session explored the challenges at the intersection of customary and statutory land governance in the context of climate change, emphasizing perspectives from diverse regions. Discussions highlighted the complexities of managing land resources under dual systems, where traditional authorities and formal legal frameworks often coexist and sometimes conflict. Participants shared experiences from both Anglophone and Francophone contexts, with a focus on how traditional knowledge and formal regulations can be reconciled to address climate change impacts. The session underscored the importance of local voices in shaping governance, featuring insights from traditional leaders who play a crucial role in managing community lands. These grassroots perspectives revealed the practical difficulties of aligning customary practices with statutory requirements, especially when responding to the environmental pressures of a changing climate. The dialogue emphasized the need for an integrated approach that acknowledges the strengths of both systems, aiming to foster resilience and sustainability in land management practices. The synthesis of these discussions pointed to the necessity of inclusive frameworks that can accommodate diverse governance structures while ensuring effective climate adaptation.


This resource has been made available by the organizers of the World Bank Land Conference under the following disclaimer.