Land-related challenges in the Arab world focus of Dubai conference

Land-related challenges in Arab countries will be the focus of the First Arab Land Conference held in Dubai from February 26 to 28.
The three-day event will address several land-related issues including reducing conflicts through land management and how to maximise the use of land and real estate for individuals, states and society as a whole.
The conference will work towards enhancing regional cooperation, capacity development and innovation in land management and real estate reform in order to promote social and economic development in the Arab region.
"Dubai has been chosen to host the conference because of its position as a unique model in real estate development," said Sultan Butti bin Mejren, director-general of Dubai Land Department. "It is also because of Dubai's pioneering activities in various fields related to sustainable development, environmental conservation, the application of the highest green building standards and maximising the use of land necessary for people's lives."
The authority is collaborating with several regional and international institutions and bodies to organise the event, including the World Bank, the Global Land Tool Network, UN-Habitat, the Arab League and the Arab Union of Surveyors.
"Dubai ranks tenth globally and the first regionally in ease of property registration surpassing many advanced economies as was reported in the World Bank's 'Doing Business Report'," Mr bin Mejren added.
The conference will include high-level ministerial meetings and technical sessions, in which research papers and presentations tackling land and property cases in Arab countries will be presented.
Key topics include access to land for sustainable business and investment, links between housing policy and land management, education, research and capacity development on land policy as well as protection of land and property rights of displaced people and refugees. Others include women, land and property rights, new technologies to support land and real estate registration systems, property valuation and taxation policies.
The conference will be open to all interested parties including those employed in the real estate sector, individuals, companies and institutions, government officials, academics, students, real estate brokers and developers.