Right to participation of the peasantry – The 3rd Report of the UN Working Group on UNDROP
On 16 October 2025, the Working Group on the rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas presented its third thematic report (A/80/180) to the UN General Assembly in New York. The report delves into the right to participation of rural peoples and highlights the entrenched barriers suffered by them when it comes to the realisation of this right. It identifies legal, linguistic, and technological obstacles, as well as factors such as limited access to information and structural discrimination – particularly against women, Indigenous Peoples, older persons, and youth – that perpetuate their marginalisation from decision-making processes directly affecting their lives, territories, and environment.
Calling for concrete actions for an effective realisation of rural peoples’ right to participation, the report examines the central role of peasants and rural workers in global food systems and stresses the importance of their meaningful participation in decision-making processes. It further outlines how securing peasants’ legal rights – including participation – is essential to advancing social justice, promoting environmental stewardship, and achieving sustainable development.
Read the full report:
Read also the statement delivered by the current Chair of the Working Group, Carlos Duarte, to the UN General Assembly when presenting this report:
