For the first time, policy and decision makers, professionals and other key stakeholders in housing industry gathered with the aim to build a sustainable housing sector for the Europe and Central Asian region.

In April 2011, UNDP/GEF jointly with the State Committee for Architecture and Construction of Uzbekistan took part at the first Housing Forum Europe and Central Asia 2011 held in Budapest, Hungary. The Forum was organized by the initiative of four organizations – Habitat for Humanity in Europe and Central Asia, the International Federation of Red Cross and Crescent Societies, the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.

The three-day event brought together almost 150 delegates from 48 organizations and countries and it was charged with high-quality presentations, workshops and round table discussions on the themes of energy efficiency and consumption, climate change, housing sector challenges, housing policy and other key topics.

Mr. Jens Wandel, UNDP deputy regional bureau director and director of UNDP Bratislava Regional Centre said: “Energy efficiency in housing offers the double benefit of safeguarding our environment and reducing fuel poverty of many in the region.”

The Forum will become a regional platform which will help to create an evidence-based agenda for promoting and achieving a vision for sustainable housing for all in the region. Organizing partners are already making plans to organizing the second housing forum for this region in two years.