Start Date : 6 Dec 06   End Date : 7 Dec 06 Location: Amman

UN-HABITAT’s Iraq Programme is organizing a workshop in cooperation with the World Bank and International Finance Corporation to discuss with Iraq stakeholders the challenges and future of the Housing Sector based on the findings of the Iraq Housing Market Study. The workshop will mark the completion of the first phase of the project "Strengthening the Capacity of the Housing Sector in Iraq."

UN-HABITAT’s Housing Market Study has revealed major sector deficiencies, namely a housing shortfall of 1.5 million units, consistent lack of housing finance, an obsolete and ineffective housing delivery system, an outdated and non-functional policy and institutional framework to encourage private housing development, and the lack of reliable baseline information. In addition, the construction and building materials industry lacks capacity and modern technical and managerial features. This is compounded by inappropriate land and infrastructure policies and systems, as well as restrictive, centralized, and non-inclusive planning regimes. The progressive influx of returning refugees and the persistent problem of IDPs put an additional strain on the already wanting situation.

To address these shortcomings and to better understand the housing market, UN-HABITAT, the World Bank, and the IFC have undertaken key studies and analyses. The Workshop will present and discuss the findings of the Housing Market Study and build consensus around a road map to support the Government of Iraq to take forward key sector reforms.

The two-day workshop will bring together Iraqi stakeholders from national, regional and local governments, the private construction and development sector, NGOs, financial institutions and international experts and donors. The workshop will also be attended by Jean-Marie Fakhouri, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, and Ms. Bayan Ismail, Iraqi Minister of Construction and Housing,