PAKISTAN
The Government of Sindh is set to host the Asia-Pacific Shelter and Settlements Forum (APSSF) 2026 from February 12 to 14 in Karachi, bringing together around 600 delegates from 41 countries for one of the region’s most significant gatherings on housing, climate resilience, and humanitarian response.
Held under the theme “Scaling Inclusive, Climate-Resilient Homes and Communities in a Nexus-Driven New Humanitarian World,” the forum will feature 26 sessions and nearly 115 speakers. Participants include representatives from international organisations, shelter and settlement clusters, humanitarian agencies, climate and disaster risk experts, housing practitioners, and development partners.
The inaugural session will include opening remarks by Syed Asif Hyder Shah, Chief Secretary, Government of Sindh; Bolormaa Amgaabazar, Country Director, World Bank; Asad Aleem, Deputy Country Director, ADB; and Salah Jelassi, Director, IsDB Group Regional Hub Türkiye.
Day one will see addresses from Jeroen Willems, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Pakistan; Pernille Ironside, UNICEF Representative; Mio Sato, Chief of Mission, IOM; Mia Marina, Habitat for Humanity; Sean Callahan, CRS; Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik, Chairman NDMA; and Khalid Mehmood Shaikh, CEO SPHF. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah will deliver a special address, while the keynote will be presented by the Chief Guest, Her Excellency Ms. Aseefa Bhutto Zardari.
The forum will deliberate on three major themes: climate-smart design and inclusive finance, sustainable systems for a climate-ready future, and inclusive governance for people-centred resilience.
The closing ceremony on February 13 will include a conference recap, reflections by Najam Ahmed Shah, award distribution, and the handover for APSSF 2027–28, followed by a Sindh Heritage and Food Bazaar for international delegates.
The Asia Pacific Shelter and Settlements Forum (APSSF) is a globally recognised platform that brings together government officials, international organisations, development partners, donors, regional leaders, Shelter and Settlements Clusters, and humanitarian actors. The Forum aims to strengthen coordination and collaboration while enabling the exchange of best practices, policies, and innovations in the Shelter and Settlements sector across the Asia Pacific region. – By Abdullah Solangi
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