Colombia's environmental strategy for water protection presented at WUF13 in Baku

Colombia calls on the international community to strengthen cooperation to jointly implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (Agenda 2030) and achieve the SDGs, Report informs.

The message from Colombia's Minister of Housing, Cities, and Territories, Helga Maria Rivas Ardila, was read by Colombia's Ambassador to Kenya, Pedro L. Cortes Ruiz, at a ministerial roundtable during the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.

In her message, the minister emphasized that Colombia is building a territorial planning strategy around effective water resource management: "Water is a public good and a guarantee of human dignity. We manage this shared resource in close partnership with regional authorities and with the active participation of local communities. Our goal is to ensure access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation, strengthen food security, and support environmental initiatives, including the Zero Waste program, as part of the transition to a circular economy."

The head of the department also noted that the Colombian government is actively improving the quality of life of both local citizens and migrants through the implementation of various housing programs aimed at reducing both the quantitative and qualitative housing shortages.

Furthermore, the address noted the significant progress achieved in implementing the New Urban Agenda through the government's "Our Biodiverse Habitat" policy.

"This strategy is being developed in partnership with communities and is directly aimed at ensuring social and environmental justice," Helga Maria Rivas Ardila concluded.