Colombian deputy minister: 'I really liked Baku, and I want to return here with my family' - INTERVIEW

Azerbaijan once again confirmed its status as a country adept at organizing major international events, successfully bringing together representatives of governments, international organizations, and experts in sustainable urban development. Participants in the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), which concludes today in Baku, repeatedly emphasized the relevance of the topics discussed over the six days of the forum - from affordable housing and climate resilience to social inclusion and urban infrastructure modernization.

Amid these discussions, the experiences of countries implementing new approaches to housing policy were of particular interest. In an interview with Report, Colombian Deputy Minister of Housing, City, and Territory Aydeé Marsiglia Bello discussed the main objectives of the Colombian delegation's participation in the forum, shared her impressions of Baku, and highlighted the prospects for cooperation between Azerbaijan and Colombia in housing and sustainable urban development.

- What results does Colombia expect from the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13)?

- I would say that what's important to us isn't so much specific results as the opportunity to showcase the experience our country is currently having in the process of transforming its housing policy. When the current government came to power, housing policy focused almost exclusively on providing subsidies for the purchase of new homes.

However, the needs of the Colombian population are much broader and more diverse. Therefore, in recent years, we have expanded our approach to housing policy and begun to promote the concept of habitat. At the center of this policy is water and the need to organize cities around water resources. In general, within our framework, we view water as a common good that must be protected and as a factor shaping urban development.

We want to demonstrate how we are moving from a policy based solely on construction, square meters, and concrete to a comprehensive habitat policy that places communities at the center and strives to find a balance between sustainability and the way humanity lives and develops. This is precisely our main goal.

- What were your impressions of Baku?

- I'll be honest: I really liked your city. Baku struck me as a beautiful city, a melting pot of cultures-that's the impression it made on me. You have a very interesting history. Despite being a relatively young country, Azerbaijan boasts a rich historical heritage.

The architecture, the urban environment, the landmarks-all of it is very interesting. I also liked that the country is open to the world and strives to be recognized. For us (Colombia - ed.), Azerbaijan seems very distant, but after this trip, I wanted to return here with my family. In fact, despite the distance, I think we have much more in common than might first appear.

- Did you have a chance to visit any historical sites?

- Unfortunately, due to my participation in the forum, I didn't have much time for sightseeing. However, despite my busy schedule, I still managed to see the Maiden Tower, stroll along the Caspian Sea Boulevard, and explore the Old City. Of course, I only saw a small part of it, but now I definitely have a reason to return again.

- In what areas may the Colombian Ministry of Housing, City, and Territory cooperate with Azerbaijan?

- According to information received at the forum, Azerbaijan is actively resettling people affected by the war and conflict with Armenia in the Karabakh region.

Unfortunately, Colombia has extensive experience with conflicts and forced displacement. Direct engagement with communities has become extremely important for us. Sometimes, authorities plan projects based on their own vision of what is right, but the actual needs of the people can differ greatly. Therefore, what seems right to officials doesn't always meet the expectations of those who will live in these places.

I think we would be very interested in sharing Colombia's experience - how we built dialogue with communities and helped people participate in the development of their own projects and processes.

At the same time, Azerbaijan may share with us its experience in planning cities from scratch, implementing clean energy technologies, and promoting sustainable development. We are very interested in the energy transition, replacing fossil fuels with clean energy sources. Therefore, I believe our countries have great potential for cooperation in this area. The Colombian ambassador and our embassy will be ready to facilitate the development of such ties between the two countries.

- Is it possible to exchange experience and specialists between the two countries in the field of urban planning and sustainable development?

- Yes, absolutely. As I already noted, we can share our experience in social work with local communities and how we have managed to engage people in the management of our own projects. In other words, we could cooperate with Azerbaijan in the social sphere, and you, in turn, could help us with planning and implementing modern technologies.

- How do you evaluate Azerbaijan's experience in creating smart cities and smart villages? Are such projects of interest to Colombia?

- Of course. I think we should move not just toward smart cities, but also toward sustainable cities. This forum provides an opportunity to study and adopt the experiences of other countries. Of course, each country has its own unique characteristics and challenges. But that's precisely why such international platforms are created-to understand which practices can be adapted and which cannot, to share experiences, and to seek ways to improve our own approaches.