700 delegates attend 3rd Asia-Pacific Housing Forum in Bangkok
September 7th, 2011
Forum Addresses Urgent Issue of Substandard Housing
Official launch of the 3rd Asia-Pacific Housing Forum, in Bangkok, Thailand
BANGKOK, 7th September 2011: More than 700 delegates met for the 3rd Asia-Pacific Housing Forum organized by Habitat for Humanity and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Representing the Prime Minister of Thailand at the opening ceremony was Mrs. Sirirat Ayuwatana, deputy permanent secretary from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. She said: “The Thai government is committed to tackling the issue of substandard housing in Thailand, and sharing our experiences and successes with our neighboring Asia-Pacific countries.”
Vice President Jejomar Binay, the Forum’s keynote speaker said: “Problems will only increase in severity and scope. If we sit on our hands, things will only go from bad to worse. We need to mobilize and marshal all available resources.” He added: “We need to ensure every family lives in a decent and affordable home.”
More than 220 organizations from 35 countries are represented amongst the 700 delegates attending 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’.
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 marginalized and vulnerable low-income families. The exhibition will also display materials and shelter development services by suppliers of ‘grassroots’ green technologies and housing.