Asia-Pacific Shelter and Settlements Forum 2026 Opens in Karachi with Global Leaders Rallying for Climate-Resilient Housing
Karachi, – Asia-Pacific Shelter and Settlements Forum (APSSF) 2026, the region’s premier platform for advancing dialogue, coordination, and practical solutions in shelter and settlements, officially opened today at the Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi.
The three-day forum has brought together approximately 600 visionaries, practitioners, development partners, and changemakers from 41 countries, alongside national participants comprising senior government officials, Secretaries, and Heads of Departments responsible for Housing, Shelter and Settlements, and Disaster Risk Management, united under the theme ‘Scaling Inclusive, Climate-Resilient Homes and Communities in a Nexus-Driven New Humanitarian World’.
The Inauguration Ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Her Excellency Ms. Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, who delivered the Keynote Address, with Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, delivering the Special Address.
The ceremony commenced with welcome and opening remarks from Chief Secretary, Government of Sindh, Syed Asif Hyder Shah, followed by statements from distinguished partners and supporters of the forum, including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, European Union, UNICEF, Habitat for Humanity, International Organization for Migration, and Catholic Relief Services, each reaffirming their commitment to advancing inclusive, climate-resilient shelter solutions across the Asia-Pacific region.
Khalid Mehmood Shaikh, Chief Executive Officer of the Sindh People’s Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF), delivered remarks that traced the extraordinary journey of the initiative that has brought the world to Karachi today. He recalled how SPHF emerged from the devastation of the 2022 floods to become the world’s largest housing reconstruction initiative, delivering 2.1 million climate-resilient homes to flood-affected families. “Every house has a story to tell,” he stated. “Through SPHF, we have demonstrated that large-scale recovery, innovation, and social transformation can advance together. Families are not passive recipients; they are active partners and drivers of their own recovery.” Mr. Shaikh acknowledged the vital contributions of local and international partners, whose support has been instrumental in transforming this vision into a global benchmark for disaster recovery and climate resilience.
In his Special Address, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah welcomed delegates and affirmed Sindh’s leadership in disaster recovery and climate resilience. “I am proud that Sindh is leading this forum and hosting this global gathering, because our province is home to the world’s largest housing reconstruction initiative, the Sindh People’s Housing for Flood Affectees,” the Chief Minister stated.
Reflecting on the devastating 2022 floods that submerged nearly 70 percent of the province and damaged 2.1 million houses, the Chief Minister highlighted the commitment made by Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardai. “Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari made a clear commitment: that every affected family would receive a house, not just any house, but a climate-resilient house, so they would never have to endure such suffering again. I am proud to say that we delivered on that promise.”
The Chief Minister emphasized that Sindh not only rebuilt homes but did so in record time, setting a benchmark for efficiency, accountability, and innovation in post-disaster recovery. “What truly sets Sindh apart, and what has drawn global attention, is our beneficiary-driven model, which places those most vulnerable to climate change at the centre of decision-making. By empowering families, especially women, to lead the reconstruction of their own homes, we have created a model that goes beyond bricks and mortar. We have built ownership, dignity, resilience, and socio-economic transformation. Through the Sindh People’s Housing for Flood Affectees, we have shown that large-scale recovery, innovation, and social transformation can go hand in hand. This is the lesson Sindh offers to the Asia-Pacific region and beyond: resilience is built with people, not for people.”
Aseefa Bhutto Zardari spoke to the profound link between shelter, dignity, and social transformation. “Shelter is far more than a roof over one’s head. It is the base upon which health, education, safety, and economic stability depend. It is where families recover from loss, where children feel protected enough to dream, and where communities find the strength to move forward together,” she stated.
Bhutto Zardari highlighted the Pakistan Peoples Party’s founding promise of roti, kapra aur makaan, food, clothing, and shelter, as the minimum dignity every citizen deserves. She emphasized the critical role of women in shelter initiatives, noting, “When women have safe homes, access to assets, and financial inclusion, the benefits extend well beyond the household. Women invest in their families, anchor social cohesion, and contribute directly to long-term
development.”
Describing the SPHF programme as a powerful example of climate-resilient recovery, she said, “Today, it stands among the largest post-disaster housing reconstruction initiatives in the world, with a commitment to build over 2.1 million climate-resilient homes, directly benefiting more than 15 million people. But the true strength of this programme lies not only in its scale. Homes and land titles are being issued in women’s names, many for the first time, strengthening dignity, security, and financial inclusion. It is recovery designed not just to rebuild structures, but to restore lives and futures.”
Bhutto Zardari concluded with a call to action: “Let us work together toward a future where every child grows up under a safe roof, every woman lives with dignity and security, and every community has the resilience not only to withstand crisis, but to thrive beyond it.”
Over the next two days, APSSF 2026 will feature 26 sessions with approximately 115 speakers, advancing policy, practice, and innovation through focused dialogue and collaboration. On 14 February, curated site visits beyond Karachi will provide delegates the opportunity to witness first-hand the implementation of climate-resilient shelter interventions across the Sindh region.
The forum is hosted by the Government of Sindh and implemented by the Sindh People’s Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF), in partnership with the National Disaster Management Authority.
