Launch of the Pinheiro Principles Handbook for the MENA Region
On February 20, 2025, the Third Arab Land Conference in Rabat, Morocco, hosted a special session to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Pinheiro Principles on Housing and Property Restitution for Refugees and Displaced Persons. This session marked a significant milestone in advancing the right to housing and property restitution in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, bringing together key experts, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss practical solutions and best practices for addressing restitution challenges.
The session marked the official launch of the handbook Housing and Property Restitution for Refugees and Displaced Persons. Implementing the Pinheiro Principles in the Middle East and North Africa, a collaborative publication developed by FAO, IOM, OHCHR, UN-Habitat and NRC that compiles good practices and case studies from across the region, providing concrete guidance on how to implement the Pinheiro Principles to resolve housing and property restitution issues and support durable solutions for displaced populations across the MENA region.
During the session, Dr. Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic and author of the Principles on Housing and Property Restitution for Refugees and Displaced Persons, delivered a keynote address. He reflected on the significance of the Pinheiro Principles over the past two decades and their continued relevance in securing housing and property rights for refugees and internally displaced persons.
A high-level panel discussion featured experts from UN-Habitat, FAO, NRC, and HLRN, who are actively engaged in housing, land, and property rights across the MENA region and globally. Panelists shared insights from their work, discussed ongoing challenges, and proposed forward-looking approaches to restitution and durable solutions.
The session took place at 9:30 - 11:00 (GMT+1) in person, at the Blue Room of the Third Arab Land Conference in Rabat, and online. Interpretation was available in Arabic, English, and French.
Below the links of the recording