The Committee on World Food Security (CFS) has today adopted a series of guidelines, which aim to improve the governance of people’s tenure of land, fisheries and forests, while also ensuring food security. The guidelines address various issues ranging from the protection of informal land rights and the transfer of tenure rights, to the right of women and indigenous people to have access to land. They are also intended to prevent land grabbing by ensuring responsible forms of investment. The endorsement of the principles was the result of a three year process with the participation of various stakeholders. “Land, fisheries and forests cannot be left at the mercy of markets and speculators", said Flavio Valente, Secretary General of FIAN International, a human rights organisation engaged in the preparation process. Now governments must commit themselves to implementing the guidelines and adapting national policies. According to FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva “It's a starting point that will help improve the often dire situation of the hungry and poor”.