New Reports Highlight Urgent Need for Land Rights Action to Achieve SDGs

As global leaders gather for the 2025 High-Level Political Forum, we are proud to release two new reports underscoring the essential role of land rights in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Developed through the SDG Land Momentum Group, the reports examine country-level progress toward land-related commitments and call for stronger, more coordinated action.

Both reports emphasize that secure land rights are foundational to advancing climate resilience, gender equality, and sustainable development. As the world approaches the 2030 deadline, we urge leaders to prioritize land rights in national policy agendas and SDG implementation strategies.

	Progress Towards the SDG Land Rights Commitments analyzes Voluntary National Reviews submitted by 36 countries and reveals that while some governments have taken important steps—such as passing gender-equal land laws or expanding title issuance—the pace and scale of change remain insufficient. Most countries are not on track to meet land rights targets by 2030, particularly those related to women’s rights and secure tenure for vulnerable groups. Read the Land Rights Report
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	Progress Towards the SDG Land Degradation Commitments evaluates actions taken toward SDG Target 15.3 on land degradation neutrality. While a few countries have made meaningful progress through afforestation, restoration programs, or land use planning, the report finds that efforts beyond the forestry sector remain limited. Many countries lack the data, coordination, and investment needed to scale up action and reverse accelerating land degradation trends. Read the Land Degradation Report