Over the last years, the number of international guidance instruments related to agricultural investment has increased substantially. The following list does not aim to be exhaustive, but rather contains commonly used instruments. If you have any other instrument to suggest, please contact Mr Jesper Karlsson.

 FAO Voluntary Guidelines to support the progressive realization of the right to adequate food in the context of national food security

The objective of the Voluntary Guidelines is to provide "practical guidance to States in their implementation of the progressive realization of the right to adequate food in the context of national food security, in order to achieve the goals of the World Food Summit Plan of Action". They address a wide range of issues, including investment in a different segments relative to agricultural production.

 Guiding Principles on Large Scale Land Based Investment in Africa (LSLBI)
The LSLBI were prepared by the African Union, the African Development Bank and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa through a collaborative and participatory process.

 Principles for Responsible Agricultural Investment that respects rights, livelihoods and resources (PRAI)

The PRAI were developed by the Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) composed of FAO, IFAD, UNCTAD and the World Bank in 2009. They are a response to the challenge of large-scale land acquisitions and the need for increased agricultural investment. The IAWG held several international consultations and information sharing events on the PRAI until 2011, when it was decided that the consultations should continue within the CFS, which decided to develop the CFS-RAI.

 IFC Performance Standards

The IFC Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Stability are the official guidelines of the International Finance Corporation, defining their "clients' responsibilities for managing environmental and social risks" of funded projects. They contain specific provisions on inter alia land acquisitions, labour rights, communities and indigenous peoples. They are widely used by both public and private agencies.

  Large-scale land acquisitions and leases: a set of core principles and measures to address human rights challenge (De Schutter Core Principles)

The 'core principles' were developed by the former United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Mr Olivier De Schutter, as a direct response to the challenge of large-scale land acquisitions. They have a strong focus on human rights.

 Guidance for Responsible Investment in Farmland

The Principles for Responsible Investment in Farmland specifically target investors who seek to address environmental, social and governance issues. They were incorporated in the Principles for Responsible Investment in 2014.