The 8th Arab Housing Conference officially began on Tuesday at the International Conference Center, CIC-Abdelatif Rahal, located in Algiers, under the patronage of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. This three-day event is centered around the theme "Sustainable Urbanism and Construction: Challenges and Promising Hopes." The opening session was presided over by the Minister of Housing, Urban Planning, and the City, Mohamed Tarek Belaribi. Key attendees included Ali Ben Brahim El-Maliki, the Deputy Secretary-General and President of the Economic Sector at the Arab League, and ministers from various Arab states, alongside the Chinese Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Ni Hong. Also present were diplomats, company representatives, sector experts, and researchers.
Taking place concurrently with the 41st session of the Arab Ministers’ Council for Housing and Urban Development, this conference—organized by the Algerian Ministry of Housing, Urban Planning, and the City along with the Arab League—aims to explore government and sector roles in enhancing housing and urban policies. The event seeks to evaluate future prospects and the Southern Urban Development Goals (SDGs), especially focusing on the integrated planning of cities, villages, and infrastructure.
The discussions are organized around four primary themes: sustainable urbanism; decent and affordable housing; sustainable cities with quality of life; and eco-friendly buildings alongside environmentally sustainable construction materials. This initiative aligns with the United Nations program aimed at developing strategies for sustainable housing and urban development by 2030, targeting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities, as endorsed by the Arab League during its 30th session.
Throughout the gathering, special attention will be directed toward urban planning mechanisms and strategies for promoting sustainable development, which will establish criteria for decent housing for diverse societal groups. The conference aims to develop cohesive answers to the pressing issues of housing and urban planning—topics which resonate deeply within the Arab World today.
During the proceedings, dialogue among researchers, academics, developers, government agency representatives, and civil society is anticipated to generate innovative strategies to improve housing, support sustainable construction policies, and share insights on sustainable construction technologies. A session by the United Nations Human Settlements Program will touch upon the progress concerning the New Urban Agenda and the Arab Strategy for Housing and Sustainable Urban Development.
Further, the congress is set to witness the signing of a cooperation agreement between the National Center for Applied Research in Seismic Engineering and the Arab Center for Risk Prevention from Earthquakes and Other Natural Disasters. The conference will also host the inaugural Arab-Chinese ministerial meeting on housing and urban development, showcasing collaborative efforts to tackle pressing housing challenges across different territories.
This conference is particularly significant as it follows extensive dialogues on climate change, disaster preparedness, and urban resilience, which are issues of great concern across the Arab nations. The opening discussions are expected to carry forth themes from previous conferences and instigate new collaborations, fostering collective action toward impactful policies and projects.