The Global Dialogue on Water Tenure, launched by FAO, is an international initiative aimed at improving how we understand and manage rights to water. As water becomes scarcer and competition intensifies, it is critical to define who has access to it – and under what terms.

The dialogue brings together governments, civil society, academia, and international organizations to:

• Identify non-binding guiding principles for responsible water tenure governance.
• Promote inclusive dialogue to ensure all voices – especially those of vulnerable water users – are heard.
• Develop tools and criteria to guide the implementation of equitable water tenure arrangements.
• Strengthen capacities of countries and non-state actors to apply the principles.
• Foster international collaboration on water policy reform.

The Global Dialogue on Water Tenure was launched at the UN Water Conference in 2023 as a commitment of FAO to the Water Action Agenda, following recommendations of the FAO Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on World Food Security.

💧 Why do water tenure and the Global Dialogue matter?

Water is life. But who controls it, and how it is shared, is often unclear. Increased water demand, pollution and changes in water availability due to climate change increase the vulnerability of water users worldwide.

Understanding how water tenure regimes are legally defined, implemented, protected and socially recognized in practice is fundamental to sustainable and equitable management of the resources and essential to achieving their responsible governance. 

That is why this project matters: by bringing together diverse voices and strengthening understanding of water tenure, we can build a future where water is governed more equitably, sustainably, and transparently.

• Inclusive consultations at country, regional, and global levels ensure that decisions about water reflect the needs of everyone, including governments, Indigenous Peoples, civil society, the private sector, and academia. This diversity of voices helps create more legitimate and widely supported solutions.
• Local and country-level assessments of water tenure provide a clear picture of how water is accessed and used on the ground. These insights are essential to inform real-world dialogue and policy. 
• Expert consultations and background research help clarify complex ideas around water rights, responsibilities, and governance. This builds a stronger foundation for action and prevents confusion or misinterpretation.
• A political process for reviewing and endorsing guiding principles through global platforms like the CFS, the Rome Water Dialogue, and the World Water Forum, ensures that agreements on water tenure have international credibility and support.
• Advocacy and outreach raise awareness about the importance of water tenure and build the political and financial backing needed to turn ideas into action.

Together, these efforts help ensure that water governance works for everyone, including women, local communities, and marginalized groups – because fair access to water is fundamental to food security, human rights, and climate resilience.

Based on the results from Cambodia, Colombia, Indonesia, Rwanda, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam, FAO is organizing national, sub-regional and regional dialogues to propose strategic actions, and encourages governments, civil society, academia, and other stakeholders to participate in the consultations which feed into the Global dialogue. 

💧Regional dialogues

💧Key publications

💧Global Dialogue updates

💧Videos