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27th
IUHF World Congress
IUHF world
congress has always ranked as a avant-grade
gathering in the international housing finance
industry. It has over the years has been an ideal
platform for global mortgage fraternity to exchange
ideas, thoughts, and innovations and at the same
time share experiences and concerns.
I am sure
that the next world congress to be held at the Main
hotel - Sun City,
South Africa from
29 September 2008 to 03 October
2008, when the tremors of US sub-prime meltdown have
hopefully abated, would indeed act as ideal
opportunity for us to introspect, look for remedies
and move forward.
I am of firm
conviction that this world congress would act as a
harbinger of sterling policies and practices in the
industry. The experience and enterprise of our
eminent speakers and delegates would surely help us
formulate and define the global housing finance
roadmap for the future.
Renu Karnad
IUHF President
 On
behalf of the Executive Committee and members of the
African Union for Housing Finance (AUHF), I am
delighted to welcome you to the 27th World Congress
of the International Union of Housing Finance. The
proverbial African hospitality awaits you all in Sun
City, South Africa.
It is an undeniable fact that the challenge of
housing in Africa is more daunting than on any other
continent.
This, of course, has been a result of the
general economic decline in Africa over the previous
century.
There is reason however for hope because
indications are that Africa is on the surge of
economic rejuvenation with indicators pointing to an
upward trend.
In a recent statement by Mr. Thabo Mbeki,
President of South Africa, he summed up thus; “The
economic outlook for Africa is the best in 30 years.
Growth is averaging 5.5% to 5.8% across the
continent and there is ample reason for optimism.
The African continent has emphatically and
irreversibly turned the corner.”
However, I must say, with regret, that housing and
housing finance issues remain on the back burner in
most African countries.
This World Conference is therefore coming to
Africa at the right time.
The African Union for Housing Finance, with a
membership of twenty-seven mortgage banks,
societies, housing corporations and other housing
finance organizations in Africa, is conscious of
this new improved state of the African economy and
therefore establishing closer partnerships with
continental bodies such as the African Development
Bank, UNHS-Habitat and Shelter Afrique to bring
housing issues to the fore in the development agenda
of the various countries.
This 27th World Congress will facilitate our
efforts in this direction.
The theme of the Conference, which is “Sustainable
Housing Finance in the Developed and Developing
Environment - Bridging the Divide” is most
appropriate.
This is because the issue of sustainable
development cannot be taken for granted in view of
clear evidence of dramatic climate changes and the
dangers that they present.
We believe that this forum will present a
rare opportunity to discuss housing and housing
finance solutions most appropriate for the African
continent and other developing countries.
We also believe that the causes of poor housing and
the stunted development of housing finance are
similar the world over and the principles
underpinning the solutions are also universal.
Come and join us, therefore, to discuss and provide
solutions for housing and housing finance problems.
Also find time to know Africa better and
become part of the new Africa that is evolving to
take its proper place in the world economy.
Thank you.
Mr Asare Akuffo
Chairman AUHF 2007/2008
The Banking Association South Africa is proud, and
honoured, to host the 27th IUHF Congress
in South Africa during September/October
2008. It is also befitting that we host the congress
with the African Union of Housing
Finance, as the continental chapter of the
International Union for Housing Finance.
The IUHF world congress has established itself as
the pre-eminent gathering of housing practitioners,
academics, researchers, financiers and thinkers from
all over the world. It is fitting that such an
eminent gathering of people come to a
developing country to deliberate on pertinent
challenges facing the critical area of
housing finance. It is also appropriate for the
congress to take place in Africa, given the
tremendous challenges faced by the
continent, but also given the progress and growth
being recorded by countries in Africa.
We have attempted to develop a programme for the
congress that will include pertinent housing issues
for both the developed and developing worlds. These
include financing innovations, role of government,
sustainability matters and the sub-prime crisis. The
programme has been structured to allow optimal
interaction between participants, so that we take
advantage of the knowledge pool at the congress to
bridge the divide between the developed and
developing worlds. We hope, in this way, to bring
the best minds to bear from both worlds on the
challenges faced by both worlds.
The locality for the congress is one of South
Africa’s most famous and spectacular venues. We
trust delegates will enjoy South African hospitality
and service and experience a truly African journey.
The Banking Association South Africa welcomes every
delegate, and your partner, to this important event.
We hope to learn from your experience and we ask you
to add value to our attempts to address the
challenges we all face.
Welcome, debate, deliberate and enjoy!
Cas Coovadia
MANAGING DIRECTOR
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