The 2025 Arab Land Conference marked an important milestone in the global effort to protect housing and property rights for refugees and displaced persons with the launch of the Pinheiro Principles Handbook for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This publication—developed through years of consultations, case studies, and collaborative efforts by UN agencies (FAO, IOM, OHCHR, UN-Habitat, NRC, and UNHCR)—aims to provide concrete guidance on implementing the Pinheiro Principles to restore the housing and land rights of displaced populations in the region.

As the Arab region grapples with rapid urbanization, rising land costs, and the challenges of climate change, governments and private stakeholders are looking to digital innovation as a game-changer in land governance. The High-Level Session on Land Sector Innovation for Sustainable Investments and Housing brought together ministers, policymakers, and private sector leaders to explore how advanced technologies—such as GIS, AI, 3D cadastres, and blockchain—can transform land governance, enhance investment opportunities, and ensure housing accessibility.

In a rapidly urbanizing Arab region facing pressing challenges such as climate change, land scarcity, forced displacement, and governance gaps, the Third Arab Land Conference convened in Morocco to chart a path forward. Ministers, international experts, and key stakeholders gathered to discuss sustainable land governance, investment-driven solutions, and inclusive policies to foster stability, economic growth, and social equity.

The key takeaways from the World Urban Forum 12, which took place in Egypt between 4-8 November 2024.

How could a problem that affects at least 1,5 million people in a country like Brazil be so unheard of? How could so many families be evicted from their homes by public authorities, or with their endorsement, when staying at home was one of the main measures to contain a global health crisis, such as the Covid-19 pandemic? These contradictions brought together over 175 civil society organizations, social movements, and university groups to denounce and advocate against forced evictions in Brazil and shed light on the connections between housing tenure security and other human rights such as health, education and work.

Building solutions for long-term sustainable livelihoods in urban contexts

“There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact”
- Arthur Conan Doyle

This What to Read digest introduces three recent articles that take a different view on urban Africa. The publications refer to innovative ways to secure tenure in cities, obstacles to urban agriculture, and bring insights into the agency and opportunities of urban refugees.

Prindex Senior Land Governance Advisor Denys Nizalov argues that developing large, flexible rental markets with strong protections for renters and landlords can stimulate economies and support post-covid economic recoveries.

Since the pandemic began, housing experts (including one of the authors of this article) have been predicting that the pandemic’s economic fallout would produce an eviction “tsunami” that could put as many as 40 million people out of their homes.