Habitat meeting draws over 700 delegates

 "The aim of the Asia-Pacific Housing Forum is to bring together key players to address the urgent and widespread problem of substandard housing. With the threat of climate change, population growth and increased disaster risk looming ever larger, practical solutions to build and protect sustainable homes are needed, and needed urgently," said Rick Hathaway, Habitat for Humanity International vice president, Asia-Pacific.

 More than 35 countries are represented amongst the 700 delegates set to attend the Forum, drawn from governments, international and local NGOs, private sector, academia, civil society organizations, and local communities. The theme is 'Sustainable shelter in an age of climate change and disasters'.

 Leading the opening ceremony will be a keynote speech from Philippines' Vice President Jojomar Binay. Housing Ministers from Indonesia and Fiji will also be present, contributing as part of the 'Thought Leaders Panel' in the first plenary session. The three-day forum wraps up on Friday (9 Sept) with an address by Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity.

 The Asia-Pacific Housing Forum and Exhibition is a bi-annual conference on affordable housing for key shelter players in public and private sectors. It addresses the urgent and widespread problem of substandard housing in the context of building sustainable homes and resilient communities in a changing global climate. The 3rd Asia-Pacific Housing Forum agenda includes the need for workable long-term shelter responses to the impact of disasters brought on by climate change.

 The 3rd Asia-Pacific Housing Forum includes an exhibition, showcasing financial and technical services and products that address shelter needs of marginalised and vulnerable low-income families. The exhibition will also display materials and shelter development services by suppliers of 'grassroots' green technologies and housing.