Forum probes housing problems amid climate change
"The urgent and widespread problem of substandard housing in a time of climate change" has brought to Bangkok 700 delegates for the 3rd Asia-Pacific Housing Forum - organised by Habitat for Humanity and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Cr
"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.
Delegates from 35 countries are attending the forum, drawn from governments, international and local NGOs, private sector, academia, civil society organisations, and local communities. 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.
Leading the opening ceremony yesterday was a keynote speech from Philippines' Vice President Jojomar Binay. Housing Ministers from Indonesia and Fiji were present as part of the 'Thought Leaders Panel' in the first plenary session. The three-day forum wraps up on Friday 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.
The forum includes an exhibition, showcasing financial and technical services and products that address shelter needs of marginalised and vulnerable low-income families. The exhibition also displays materials and shelter development services by suppliers of 'grassroots' green technologies and housing.
