Secure Housing, Land and Property Rights - From Emergency Response to Durable Solutions

A central arrangement of the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), this 2nd edition of the GRF presents a tremendous opportunity for States and other actors to take stock of the strong human rights dimensions of secure access to housing and land for refugee and returnee men, women and children – with an outlook towards creating sustainable pathways to durable solutions and long-term development outcomes.

This event is therefore a key part of efforts geared toward inspiring renewed political will, resource mobilization and additional in-kind support for addressing tenure-related challenges among forcibly displaced populations and their host communities.

Drawing on the experiences of key State and non-state actors, this event seeks to reinforce an already compelling case for more predictable, equitable, and sustainable systems of response to the housing, land, and property challenges facing refugees, returnees, and their host communities.

Objectives: 

1. To highlight the depth, breadth, drivers, and consequences of insecure tenure on refugee and returnee populations and their host communities; and
2. To demonstrate how comprehensive strategies for securing housing, land and property rights are fostering resilient communities and enhancing capacity for sustainable return and reintegration – while establishing pathways to inclusion and local integration. and
3. To inspire renewed political interest (at the national and subnational levels), the earmarking of resources (via various financial instruments and technical assistance programmes), and in-kind support for addressing the tenure-related challenges faced by forcibly displaced populations and their host communities.

Distinguished Delegates:

• Moderator: Mr. Mamadou Dian Balde, Director, UNHCR Regional Bureau - East and Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes
• Keynote Speaker: Mr. Haoliang Xu, Under-Secretary-General and Associate Administrator, UNDP
• Keynote Speaker (Co-Convener): Erfan Ali, Chief of Staff, UN-Habitat
• Multistakeholder Pledge Co-Convener: Ms. Marit Glad, Global Director of Programming, Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
• Government of the Republic of Burundi – Hon. Martin Niteretse, Minister of Interior
• INGO Representative: Mr. Chris Lukkien, CEO, ZOA International
• UN System Partner – Key Expert: Dr. Joan Kagwanja, Chief, Agriculture and Business Enabling Environment, UNECA | Coordinator, African Land Policy Centre (ALPC)
• Government of Honduras – Hon. Natalie Roque, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Human Rights
• Nansen Regional Winner 2023 – Americas: Ms. Elizabeth Moreno Barco, Human Rights Activist
• City of Wroclaw, Poland – Mr. Jakub Mazur, Deputy Mayor

Agenda:

1. Opening Remarks – Mamadou Dian Balde, UNHCR (5 mins)
2. Keynote Address 1 – Mr. Haoliang Xu, UNDP (7 mins)
3. High-Level Panel Discussion (First Segment) – (30 mins)
4. Keynote Address 2 – Mr. Erfan Ali, UN-Habitat (7 mins)
5. High-Level Panel | Final Reflections – (20 mins)
6. Strategic Reflections - Ms. Marit Glad, NRC (7 mins)
7. Floor Interventions (20 mins)
8. Closing (5 mins)