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On Monday 7 June we celebrated 20 years of the business registration of Land Equity International. Tony Burns, a founder of the business and Managing Director Kate Rickersey (15 years with LEI) look forward to reflecting on and sharing some of our stories, history and forward thinking on land administration in the coming months as we celebrate our successes and the longevity of our consulting practice.

The Mekong Region Land Governance (MRLG) project, together with our partners at the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Land Portal, will organise the 3rd Mekong Regional Land Forum (MRLF2021) in the coming weeks, entitled “Land tenure in Mekong forest landscapes: advancing the recognition of customary rights and responsible investment practices”.  This forum will bring together reform-minded actors within and beyond the region to engage in in-depth, interactive debate on issues that cut to the core of the most pressing challenges facing tenure security in forest areas and the impacts of  agribusiness investment.

We are very happy to be supporting and promoting the global theme for the 2021 International Women’s Day:  ‘Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World’.  Here at LEI were pursue equality from within the organisation with women making up 2/3 of our leadership team. We are fortunate to have many long term staff who are driving us in our mission. We strongly believe in being an agile and flexible employer, offering full and part-time employment and flexible leave options to balance parenting duties and pursue higher education qualifications.

The rich discussions amongst the MRLG team, our partners and national-based gender consultants is already driving more gender-responsive actions and outcomes as part of all workstream activities. COVID19 may have thrown a curveball for many of our activities, this one, however, can be considered a silver lining.

We are very proud of our project teams around the world who have shown great commitment and resilience throughout these trying times.

A conversation between Kate Fairlie and our MRLG project Team Leader, Micah Ingalls

Land transaction systems are often reviewed as part of land administration reform. And what we know is that land administration reform is difficult.

Earlier in 2020, Alex Wymarra, the Director of Treaty Council and First Nation Gudang-Yadhaykenu clan, approached Land Equity International (LEI) seeking technical assistance for the development of the Allodial Land Use Registry (ALUR), an Indigenous mapping and permit initiative for first nations people on the great southern land.

Rory Read's final reflections on his time with LEI and some advice for others embarking on a similar role.

Rory Read's highlights from month 3 of interning with Land Equity International.

International deforestation statistics are compelling. Annual tree cover loss is regularly reported at the size of entire countries and is rapidly increasing. We know that addressing deforestation is essential to climate mitigation – yet forests receive just 3% of available climate mitigation finance. We advocated for more emphasis on green and inclusive spatial planning that is operating at National and Local governments that can work in collaboration with foreign and domestic investors.

Tucked away in the small and remote mountainous region of Bokeo, Lao PDR, is a hidden gem of un-spoilt biodiversity, an ancient tea tree forest. The Bokeo Tea cooperative is an example of how poor ethnic minority communities with intermediary support are developing their own sustainable business and livelihoods through environmentally friendly methods. Unfortunately, the global pandemic could not have come at a worse time and threatens the emerging small business in the global market.