1 Eastern Europe and Central Asia Region Experience Mika Törhönen Comments by

2 ECA Very diverse “region” – CE, Balkans, EE, RU, Caucasus, CA – Slovenia – joined Euro zone – Lithuania – a global benchmark in land administration – Post conflict countries – still basics – Some totalitarian countries EU major catalyst for change There are few universal cases or solutions. Development work targets move east?

3 ECA target evolution 1990’s (Stage 1) – Land reforms, rights – Land administration reforms 2000 – (Stage 2) –Registration projects, automatization –Property market mechanisms 2010 – (Stage 3) –State land management –Planning - development control –Consolidation

4 Lessons Farm restructuring –Initial impacts - stabilization (agricultural production – rural land markets). Cadastre and land registration –Real property market development Public perception/liability and governance really make the difference. The type of solution doesn’t. “Whatever works”. –Systematic registration not needed when property information is attainable (FYR; messy records, but can be solved case by case) –Systematic registration needed when poor can’t afford registration. –Incentive structures Messy systems good for business. IT –IT forces standardization – mess solved. –IT investments fail - the challenge of today. –IT capacity cannot be imported – even buying capacity difficult.

5 Challenges in ECA Seeking growth –Illegal constructions; major RPM issue –Exclusiveness of mortgaging –Slow rural markets (aging population) –Governance and investments Poverty alleviation vs. more and more technically sophisticated projects. –Difference in impact between workable and good systems? –How to reach marginal groups? Developing land professions. –Service sector is going to grow – new skills and professions needed. –Traditional professions under pressure (East German surveyors’ experience).

6 Challenges in ECA Governance –So far mainly technical improvements; customer servicing and standardization. –Grand scheme not touched. Land policy work grows in importance –Ownership - political will –Governance principles –Market obstacle removal –Legalization of market units –Ethnic questions, gender –Rural development; holistic

7 Still plenty of work to do! FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS helping to build a world without hunger Mika Törhönen