Doha: Under the patronage of HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, the State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Social Development and Family, will host the Sixth Arab Ministerial Forum on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development 2025, from Dec. 14-16.
According to Qatar News Agency, the Ministry of Social Development and Family announced that the forum will be held under the slogan: “urban sustainability… for the future of generations,” accompanying the 42nd session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Housing and Construction. The ministry emphasized that this event underscores Qatar’s dedication to providing a leading platform for Arab dialogue, exchanging visions, and formulating practical solutions that contribute to developing more resilient cities and improving quality of life.
The ministry further noted that hosting the forum highlights Arab countries’ commitment to enhancing cooperation in housing and sustainable urban development, exchanging expertise, and developing innovative mechanisms to tackle social, economic, and urban challenges. This cooperation aims to achieve sustainable development goals and lay the foundation for a prosperous urban future for generations to come.
The forum will explore three main interconnected themes. The first theme is smart housing as a gateway to sustainable development, focusing on developing supportive policies and legislation, adopting low-cost construction technologies, securing effective project financing, and enhancing risk management capabilities through early warning systems.
The second theme examines housing as a pillar of social justice and improving quality of life, by ensuring adequate housing for all and fostering integration between urban and rural areas.
The third theme is centered on the sustainable reconstruction of cities after disasters and crises, adopting a comprehensive approach to recovery, and strengthening local and international partnerships to ensure sustainability in construction and development processes post-crisis.
Preparations for the forum are underway with extensive Arab research participation. Important dates include: Sep. 30, 2025, as the deadline for submitting research abstracts, Oct. 15 for preliminary acceptance announcements, and Nov. 8 for full research paper submissions. Final acceptance of entries will be announced on Dec. 1, 2025. Arabic will be the official language of the forum, but research papers in English may also be accepted.
The forum is anticipated to serve as a strategic Arab platform for intensifying dialogue and exchanging expertise on housing and urban development issues, contributing to the development of solutions that bolster the resilience and prosperity of Arab cities in the face of future challenges.