Evaluation of FAO's contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 2 - Support to secure tenure of natural resources through VGGTs and other guidelines.

This report looks at two sets of guidelines focusing on vulnerable and marginalized people: the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (VGGTs) and the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). The evaluation of FAO’s work on Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) found the work of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on the guidelines to be relevant and a major step forward in addressing discrimination against women and other marginalized groups and in ensuring their equal rights to economic and natural resources. FAO has had more success with the VGGTs, as they preceded the SFF Guidelines and such initiatives take time. A more holistic, less siloed approach could be beneficial. Also, there is still much to do on the social inclusion of youth and people with disabilities if we are to “leave no one behind”. There has been progress on the inclusion of indigenous peoples, but a systematic approach is needed. The multi-stakeholder approach to implementing the VGGTs at national level brings together different sectors, promotes participation and sets the stage for sustainability.There needs to be more engagement with the private sector, particularly industry, to support post-harvest and marketing opportunities and strengthen SSF Guidelines implementation. Care is warranted, however, as a shift in focus to the private sector, public-private partnerships and innovation may negatively affect fishers and indigenous communities. The COVID-19 pandemic may also reverse past gains.