First Arab Land Conference 2018 kicks off in Dubai

Theme: Toward Sustainable Urban Development

More than 250 participants form governments, private sector, professionals’ associations, academia, civil society and international organisations convened in Dubai, United Arab Emirates for the First Arab Land Conference 2018.

Organised by the Dubai Land Department, the Global Land Tool Network, UN-Habitat, the World Bank, the League of Arab States and the Arab Union of Surveyors; the Conference objective was to bring together a diverse audience to discuss approaches and innovations that can sustain good land governance efforts in the region, as an important prerequisite for social and economic development, peace and stability.

More than 90 speakers presented in high level panels and technical session on topics related to access to land for sustainable business and investment, housing policy and land management, research and capacity development, protection of land and property rights of displaced people and refugees, women’s land and property rights, and new technologies to support land and real estate registration systems, property valuation and taxation policies.

H.E Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment of UAE government opened the event, wishing all participants success in achieving the conference objectives and fruitful deliberations. The three-day programme running from 26-28 February 2018, included six ministerial interventions, high level key note speeches, technical round tables, presentation of papers, and master classes.

The Arab Land Conference 2018, which is the first of its kind in the region, is a milestone in the development of a regional partnership led by Arab governments and institutions with global and international stakeholders.