Mzwanele Nyhontso, South Africa's Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, is set to lead a significant delegation to Cartagena, Colombia, for the International Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ICARRD+20) occurring from February 24 to 28, 2026. This conference commemorates 20 years since the first ICARRD, which aimed to address land reform and rural development issues globally and occurs amidst a renewed focus on these topics worldwide.

The ICARRD+20 conference serves as a vital platform for discussions about urgent global challenges such as land and water grabbing, climate change impacts, and the necessity for redistributive land reform. With various stakeholders, including governments, social movements, and international organizations, participating, the conference aims to foster dialogue around food sovereignty and the equitable governance of natural resources, which are increasingly critical issues for many nations.

During the summit, Minister Nyhontso is anticipated to engage in high-level bilateral talks, including consultations with the Food and Agriculture Organization and possibly other key players in the agrarian reform sector. The outcomes of these discussions could significantly influence South Africa's approach to land reform and rural development, reflecting the country's commitment to addressing these pressing issues both locally and internationally.