(Online) XI Water Dialogues: "Water for Sustainable Territorial Development"

Territorial development is closely linked to water management. Societies that have managed to ensure sustainable, equitable and resilient access to water resources have established the conditions for lasting processes of economic growth, social cohesion and environmental sustainability. In this sense, water security -understood as the capacity of territories to have water of sufficient quality, quantity and opportunity for human well-being, productive activity and the protection of ecosystems- constitutes a fundamental element for sustainable territorial development.

In Europe, and particularly in Spain, urban progress, health improvement and economic growth have historically been linked to investment in water policies and infrastructure. An emblematic example is the creation of the Isabel II Canal in 1851, which provided Madrid with a supply system from the Guadarrama mountain range, promoting the planned growth of the city, improving public health, facilitating industrialization and consolidating a network of services that is still a benchmark today.

Spanish water governance has been based on integrated basin management and the continuous modernization of services, supported by the adoption of digital technologies. This approach has made it possible to maintain water as an axis of territorial equity and social cohesion.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, progress in water security has been uneven. In many cases, lack of planning, institutional dispersion and limited investment have perpetuated gaps, especially in rural and peri-urban areas. However, the region also has valuable experiences that demonstrate its potential to build a shared vision. The great challenge remains to consolidate a territorial approach that integrates urban and rural, basic services, socio-productive development and ecosystem management, combining traditional infrastructure with nature-based solutions.

In this context, the Water Dialogues, an initiative of CAF - Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean - play a catalytic role in the ministerial process by providing a platform for sharing regional visions, evidence and concrete proposals that enrich high-level discussions and drive initiatives such as the High-Level Decision-Makers Pact on Water Security and Resilience.

This year, the Water Dialogues, which will be held on the eve of the LAC Sector Ministers' Meeting (MSM) 2025, will address the theme "Water Security for Sustainable Territorial Development". CAF - development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean - invites you to connect on October 21 and be part of this space for technical and political dialogue between Spain and Latin America and the Caribbean, aimed at strengthening cooperation and joint solutions around water and sustainable development.

Date: 21 October 2025

Hours:

3:00 p.m. / 🇪🇸 Spain
8:00 a.m. / 🇯🇲 Jamaica
9:00 a.m. / 🇦🇬 Antigua and Barbuda, 🇧🇸 The Bahamas, 🇧🇧 Barbados, 🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago