Insecure land rights are a global crisis – for the millions of indigenous peoples and local communities who risk losing their lands and livelihoods, and for humanity as a whole, undermining our ability to confront climate change, food insecurity, poverty and political instability, and to protect the diversity of life, culture and language that brings beauty and meaning to all of our lives. Although there has been progress in many countries, commitments to respect the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities often remain empty promises. Forest, water, rangeland and mineral resources continue to be the primary target of rapidly expanding investments and ‘development’ projects that displace indigenous peoples and local communities. Women in particular suffer from the insecurity of these rights, and are still far from enjoying an equal role to men in shaping community governance and national policies. The growing number of people killed for defending their land is a stark reminder of the huge challenge, and unspeakable violence, faced by many around the world who are displaced or denied a voice in the decisions affecting their lands – and their lives. New analysis shows that despite a history of customary use and ownership of over 50 percent of the world’s land area, the world’s indigenous peoples and local communities – up to 2.5 billion women and men – possess ownership rights to just one-fifth of the land that is rightfully theirs. This catastrophic gap in recognition explains much of the disenfranchisement, poverty, human rights violations and conflict found across the world. It is why we are issuing a global call to action: an unprecedented mobilization of the millions of indigenous peoples and local communities, governments, international organizations, corporate and other private sector actors, civil society, social movements, research and other institutions, and citizens across the world to secure and respect the land rights of indigenous peoples and local communities. Securing those land rights is essential to achieving a just and equitable world.