Coordinator: Water agenda formed at WUF13 in Baku to continue in Abu Dhabi

Housing, water, sanitation, land, and informal settlements are inseparable issues and must be addressed through integrated approaches at the urban scale, Simon Springett, Head of Program Development at UN-Habitat and Coordinator of the World Urban Forum (WUF), said at the 13th Session of the WUF (WUF13) in Baku, Report informs.

Springett noted that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly clean water and sanitation, requires a unified planning system in cities: "Water is a human right and a fundamental condition of human dignity. Urban water systems must be at the center of all planning processes. For this, strengthening local governments and utility service agencies is essential. Local institutions must be supported by appropriate and coordinated national systems to ensure water security and urban resilience."

The official emphasized that the discussions held in Baku must continue until the UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi in 2026.