RECOFTC at the fourth Mekong Regional Land Forum

The fourth Mekong Regional Land Forum is a multi-stakeholder platform convening land sector stakeholders from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Viet Nam and the wider region to address critical land governance challenges. Taking place from 17 to 19 September 2025 in Bangkok and online, the forum enables knowledge sharing, capacity building and dialogue among government officials, civil society, Indigenous Peoples, the private sector and global experts. Organized by the Mekong Region Land Governance (MRLG) project, it builds on a decade of collaboration to drive evidence-based land and forest policy reform.

Under the theme “Transformative change for people, land and climate in the Mekong,” this year’s forum highlights the intersections of land governance with climate action, agrarian transitions and inclusive policy reform. In response to rapid development and climate commitments to reshaping the region, the Forum provides a space to explore solutions that are just, sustainable and community-centred.

RECOFTC is a key alliance partner of MRLG, working together for nearly a decade to strengthen equitable land and forest governance in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam. Our collaboration with MRLG focuses on advancing the recognition of customary tenure, promoting gender equality and supporting policy innovation through evidence-based approaches and meaningful stakeholder participation.

At the forum, RECOFTC will share technical insights, lessons from field experience and leadership in regional networks during sessions on forest tenure, gender equity, customary land rights and climate solutions. We will also showcase some of our knowledge products at the RECOFTC booth.

Time [+07]	Session details
14:00-15:30 - +07	Session 2c: Exploring the challenges and practices related to customary tenure and climate change Navigating carbon markets in the Mekong: Social integrity and local initiatives for nature-based, community-oriented solutions The session unpacks the risks and opportunities for Indigenous Peoples and local communities in engaging in the carbon markets, with a specific focus on social integrity and tenure rights. The session will have an interactive component, where participants will exchange ideas and come up with practical recommendations for fair and inclusive climate action. Featuring Regan Pairojmahakij, Programme Lead, Enhanced climate change adaptation and mitigation Reimagining equity: Shaping the future of gender inclusive land governance in the Mekong region This roundtable explores the future of gender equitable land governance in the Mekong region, drawing on insights from MRLG’s Phase 3 and contributions from partners in the Community of Practice on Gender and Land. With a focus on transformative approaches, intersectionality, and the voices of change-makers, the session invites critical reflection and bold visioning for the next decade. Featuring Srijana Baral, Programme Lead, Gender equality and social inclusion and Chinda Milayvong, Communication Officer, RECOFTC Lao PDR From guidelines to practice: Moving ASEAN CT guidelines to national implementation for inclusive climate action This session will explore the value of ASEAN’s Guidelines for the Recognition of Customary Tenure in Forested Landscapes and the annex Handbook on FPIC principles. It will discuss how to go beyond principles and meaningfully incorporate them in policy and practice in the region to improve customary tenure recognition for local communities. Featuring Peter Cutter, Director, Programme Coordination and Technical Services
16:00-17:00 - +07	Session 2d: Country parallel sessions Where are the best opportunities to link land tenure security with forest protection and climate resilience? What are the key reform challenges in your country? Sessions in English with translation to the national language Forest tenure reform in Laos: Navigating customary forest tenure rights under recent sub-legislation The session will highlight recent legal reforms that enable the recognition of customary tenure rights within forest areas. Through both presentations and panel discussions, presenters will share lessons from pilot projects and the development of technical tools designed to secure tenure of 3,000 + villages. The session aims towards finding pragmatic solutions and ways forward, in light of a recent government target to scale up customary tenure recognition nationwide. Featuring Chaipheth Phommachanh, Co-Director, RECOFTC Lao PDR

Time [+07]

Session details

14:00-15:30 - +07

Session 2c: Exploring the challenges and practices related to customary tenure and climate change

Navigating carbon markets in the Mekong: Social integrity and local initiatives for nature-based, community-oriented solutions

The session unpacks the risks and opportunities for Indigenous Peoples and local communities in engaging in the carbon markets, with a specific focus on social integrity and tenure rights. The session will have an interactive component, where participants will exchange ideas and come up with practical recommendations for fair and inclusive climate action.

Featuring Regan Pairojmahakij, Programme Lead, Enhanced climate change adaptation and mitigation

Reimagining equity: Shaping the future of gender inclusive land governance in the Mekong region

This roundtable explores the future of gender equitable land governance in the Mekong region, drawing on insights from MRLG’s Phase 3 and contributions from partners in the Community of Practice on Gender and Land. With a focus on transformative approaches, intersectionality, and the voices of change-makers, the session invites critical reflection and bold visioning for the next decade.

Featuring Srijana Baral, Programme Lead, Gender equality and social inclusion and Chinda Milayvong, Communication Officer, RECOFTC Lao PDR

From guidelines to practice: Moving ASEAN CT guidelines to national implementation for inclusive climate action

This session will explore the value of ASEAN’s Guidelines for the Recognition of Customary Tenure in Forested Landscapes and the annex Handbook on FPIC principles. It will discuss how to go beyond principles and meaningfully incorporate them in policy and practice in the region to improve customary tenure recognition for local communities.

Featuring Peter Cutter, Director, Programme Coordination and Technical Services

16:00-17:00 - +07

Session 2d: Country parallel sessions

Where are the best opportunities to link land tenure security with forest protection and climate resilience? What are the key reform challenges in your country?

Sessions in English with translation to the national language

Forest tenure reform in Laos: Navigating customary forest tenure rights under recent sub-legislation

The session will highlight recent legal reforms that enable the recognition of customary tenure rights within forest areas. Through both presentations and panel discussions, presenters will share lessons from pilot projects and the development of technical tools designed to secure tenure of 3,000 + villages. The session aims towards finding pragmatic solutions and ways forward, in light of a recent government target to scale up customary tenure recognition nationwide.

Featuring Chaipheth Phommachanh, Co-Director, RECOFTC Lao PDR

Time [+07]	Session details
11.00-12.30 - +07	Session 4b: Parallel sessions Empowering smallholders in the new regulatory paradigm: how can smallholders benefit from efforts to curb agriculture-driven deforestation? Building on the morning keynote, this interactive workshop aims to generate policy insights, raise awareness, and share best practices on how smallholders can benefit from a shift towards deforestation-free production rather than bearing a disproportionate compliance burden. Featuring Martin Greijmans, Programme Lead, Increased economic benefits for communities
14:00 - 15:00 - +07	Session 4c: Panel on investor solutions Unlocking responsible investment: Successes and solutions from the private sector in the Mekong (Online) This session offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from investors on a journey to becoming responsible players in land-based sectors.

Time [+07]

Session details

11.00-12.30 - +07

Session 4b: Parallel sessions

Empowering smallholders in the new regulatory paradigm: how can smallholders benefit from efforts to curb agriculture-driven deforestation?

Building on the morning keynote, this interactive workshop aims to generate policy insights, raise awareness, and share best practices on how smallholders can benefit from a shift towards deforestation-free production rather than bearing a disproportionate compliance burden.

Featuring Martin Greijmans, Programme Lead, Increased economic benefits for communities

14:00 - 15:00 - +07

Session 4c: Panel on investor solutions

Unlocking responsible investment: Successes and solutions from the private sector in the Mekong (Online)

This session offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from investors on a journey to becoming responsible players in land-based sectors.

Time [+07]	Session details
10:30 - +07	Country parallel sessions These country sessions will explore the lessons from the process of engaging in one policy pathway and present the opportunities and strategies for the Alliances (forward looking). Cambodia: Navigating the opaque legislative process (Contract Farming Law and ENR Code): What is the space for influence? Cambodia partners reflect on the lessons learned from multistakeholder policy engagement Featuring Sokchea Tol, Deputy Country Director, RECOFTC Cambodia

Time [+07]

Session details

10:30 - +07

Country parallel sessions
These country sessions will explore the lessons from the process of engaging in one policy pathway and present the opportunities and strategies for the Alliances (forward looking).

Cambodia: Navigating the opaque legislative process (Contract Farming Law and ENR Code): What is the space for influence?

Cambodia partners reflect on the lessons learned from multistakeholder policy engagement

Featuring Sokchea Tol, Deputy Country Director, RECOFTC Cambodia

RECOFTC at the fourth Mekong Regional Land Forum

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