Due to corruption, poverty, environmental degradation and lack of investment, growth and social stability in developing countries are some of the consequences. Weak governance is leading to unequal land distribution and poor resource management, according to a UN Report released December 12, 2011 by UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Transparency International. Weak Governance: Weak land governance occurs as a result of low levels of transparency, accountability and the rule of law, according to the Report: “the rules, processes and institutions that determine which land resources are used, by whom, for how long, and under what conditions.” At least 61 countries according to the Report have “weak governance.” Access to Land for Poor – Protection of Environment/Natural Resources: Secure access to land and protection of natural resources from unbridled use is one of the keys to ensuring food security, social stability, investment, broad-based economic growth and sustainable development. “The findings of the paper reflect what we have been hearing for years from farmers, herders, investors, governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in many developing countries – that where land governance is deficient, a high risk of corruption exists… Secure access to land and protection of natural resources from unbridled use is one of the keys to ensuring food security, social stability, investment, broad-based economic growth and sustainable development,” according FAO Assistant Director-General for Natural Resources Alexander Mueller. “When transparency and accountability are absent, the risk of corruption rises and threatens to turn land into a tool of alienation of ordinary people. As a result of corruption, people lose the cultural and economic benefits of their own land resources,” said Rueben Lifuka, President of Transparency International Zambia. (Read: - “Indigenous People Suffer Abuses over Natural Resources” - - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/indigenous-people-suffer-abuses-over-natural-resources-by-ambassador-mo/35295). Biofuel Abuses: Corruption is increasing in the biofuel industry, as many countries with weak governance are considered attractive destinations for this type of investment. Colombia’s example: the rapid expansion of oil palm cultivation has been linked to reports of paramilitaries, hired by private interests, allegedly pushing poor communities off their land to increase the available area for planting, and a State investigation found that at least 25,000 hectares suitable to plant oil palms had been illegitimately acquired by private interests. (Read: - -“Colombia’s Indigenous People Caught in Middle” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/colombias-indigenous-people-caught-in-middle-of-violent-conflict-by-ambassador-mo/27499). The report underscores the importance of strengthening governance to ensure land benefits can be enjoyed by all citizens. FAO is currently working with its partners to improve land governance through proposed guidelines by the international community. (Read: - Laws Needed to Protect Women, Minorities, Indigenous” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/laws-needed-to-protect-women-minorities-indigenous-in-paraguay-by-ambassador-mo/38273 Read: - “Indigenous People-Argentina Needs to do More” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/indigenous-people-argentina-needs-to-do-more-by-ambassador-mo/42502 Link to FAO Statement-Report: - www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/116431/icode/ By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey FaceBook – Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow us at DiplomaticallyX More at “War Crimes Channel” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/war-crimes-justice