Water-Centered Territorial Development Azerbaijan, Colombia & Latin America shares Resilient and Inclusive Habitat

This SDG in Action session will showcase how water as a vital right can become the structuring axis of territorial planning, housing policies and ecosystem protection, drawing from the experiences of Colombia, the host country Azerbaijan, and Latin America, within the global framework promoted by UN-Habitat.
The session presents a paradigm shift: moving from fragmented sectoral interventions towards integrated territorial development models planned around water systems, ecosystems and people’s vital rights. Colombia’s experience under the policy “Our Biodiverse Habitat” demonstrates how housing, drinking water, sanitation, waste management and neighborhood upgrading can be articulated through territorial planning around water, strengthening resilience, social equity and climate adaptation in both urban and rural contexts. This approach places communities and ecosystems at the center of public policy, recognizing water not only as infrastructure but as a foundation for life, dignity and territorial sustainability.
As host of WUF13, Azerbaijan, in partnership with UN-Habitat, is advancing national and local efforts to promote safe, inclusive and climate-resilient cities, strengthening urban governance, infrastructure planning, and adaptation to environmental risks, particularly in rapidly transforming urban and coastal areas. Through its cooperation framework with UN-Habitat and its engagement in global urban agendas, Azerbaijan provides a strategic platform to connect national policy reforms with international commitments under the New Urban Agenda and the SDGs.
The event will highlight how aligning housing and habitat policies with water governance strengthens territorial resilience, reduces socio-spatial inequalities, and advances climate adaptation in highly vulnerable territories. It will also showcase multi-level governance mechanisms and partnerships between national and local governments, communities, and international partners, including UN-Habitat, to strengthen institutional capacities and co-produce solutions with communities.
Through an interactive dialogue among government representatives, international partners and peer countries, the session will facilitate South-South knowledge exchange on scalable policy instruments, financing approaches, and governance models that enable integrated housing, water and territorial development. The session aims to generate actionable recommendations for policymakers seeking to accelerate SDGs progress.