Land Policy & Administration Mini-retreat Opening remarks L. Guo & K. Deininger Nov. 19, 2007

Origins of this event Land TG internal stocktaking exercise Almost 5 years since PRR What has been implemented, what not? What are new challenges & opportunities? Need for internal debate Sharing of experience across regions Possible follow-up with FAO/Habitat Increasing no. of land-initiatives Too many to list individually Land governance work by FAO & others ILC is re-orienting its strategy GLTN to establish technical bases, capacity C/LEP Collaboration can help on many issues Goal: Internal, informal event No big speeches Open debate on success, failures, next steps Promoting internal collaboration Comments & WGs led by outsiders Possibility of taking things forward till Feb.

Global drivers Increasing demand/prices for land Rapid urbanization and conversion Dumping of agric. surpluses drawing to close Demands for marginal land: Biofuels & carbon sinks Access to land by foreign investors Already reflected in land prices Will have big distributional implications Technology & e-governance Barriers to entry much reduced Cheap labor advantage of LDCs (India) Can be a driver for transparency, governance PPPs provide big opportunities Changing role of the Bank Countries access finance elsewhere Expertise & know-how Policy issues & design of interventions International experience on what works Can we go beyond a project framework?

Global drivers Increasing demand/prices for land Rapid urbanization and conversion Dumping of agric. surpluses drawing to close Demands for marginal land: Biofuels & carbon sinks Access to land by foreign investors Already reflected in land prices Will have big implications Technology & e-governance Barriers to entry much reduced Cheap labor advantage of LDCs (India) Can be a driver for transparency, governance PPPs provide big opportunities Changing role of the Bank Countries access finance elsewhere Expertise & know-how Policy issues & design of interventions International experience on what works Can we go beyond a project framework? Awareness within the Bank Can not lead without people .. even if only on part-time basis

Key questions to be discussed Where have we done well Good examples in every region Addressing politically sensitive issues Identifying win-win situations Can it be documented/disseminated? Where can we do better quickly Build on ongoing/planned work & initiatives Capacity building Impact evaluation Governance Integration into country strategy What do we need to do so How to join forces with others to move ahead What are key challenges for the future Putting technology at the service of the poor Implementing a national land policy Urban areas Marginal lands Linking land admin. & land use planning Your input is most appreciated! Structure of program Write-ups from working groups