A consultative planning session attended by representatives of 12 donor countries was held in Brussels on 21 June, hosted by the UN-HABITAT Brussels Office, and co-chaired by Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director of UN-HABITAT, and Tom Koenigs, UNMIK Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General .

The purpose of this meeting was to plan ongoing support to ensure the resolution of property disputes in Kosovo subsequent to the 1999 NATO operations, and implementation of UNSC Resolution 1244.

Mrs. Tibaijuka stated in her address to the meeting that: "The HPD is an institution established by UN-HABITAT on behalf of UNMIK to address a problem of unprecedented complexity; namely the resolution of residential property loss through discrimination, and usurpation. The solution is vested in the Housing and Property Directorate and Claims Commission, and we are proud of having been instrumental in its creation.

"We are grateful for the significant investments to date on behalf of the governments of Canada, Norway, Switzerland, Germany, Ireland, Finland, and the European Agency of Reconstruction, in the order of US $ 10 million, which as been managed by UN HABITAT to ensure the development; testing, and deployment of trained staff, equipment and logistic support to HPD offices throughout Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro. More than 17,000 claims registered, and a small, but significant body of resolved claims, and already, a significant impact both in a local, and regional context. The successful conclusion of HPD's work is critical both in terms of local resolution of conflict, and in regional stability."

Mr. Koenigs agreed with the above, and stressed the particular focus of UNMIK on refugees, returns, and the critical importance of facilitating the efficient and effective implementation of HPD's mandate to ensure orderly returns to Kosovo of IDPs and refugees. In addition, Mr. Koenigs stated that UNMIK having now prepared the Provisional Institutions of Self Government, will take advantage of the new climate of cooperation between all Kosovars to implement all necessary means to speed up the process of resolution of property issues.

Jointly UNMIK and UN-HABITAT alerted donor representatives that the HPD, in spite of its significant achievements to date, was in danger of collapse due to funding constraints, and appealed to those present for both immediate and long term support.

Donor representatives expressed their appreciation for the work undertaken to date, and general support for the objectives of the HPD/HPCC, and several countries, notably Norway, who today pledged an additional contribution of 1 million NOK (125,000 euro), Sweden, the UK, the US, Switzerland, and the European Commission, indicated heir interest in supporting the implementation of HPD's mandate as a critical link to assure continuity in the refugee return process.

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For further information, please contact:
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