Resources: Media Releases

For Immediate Release
March 22, 2009

Over Twenty countries challenge Ministerial Declaration of World Water Forum

ISTANBUL, March 22 - Over twenty countries have officially challenged the Ministerial declaration released today at the World Water Forum, which defines water as a human need rather than a human right, through a counter-declaration.

Latin American States have played a key role in gathering signatures onto a declaration that recognizes access to water and sanitation as a human right and commits to all necessary action for the progressive implementation of this right.

The growing list currently includes (in alphabetical order):

• Bangladesh
• Benin
• Bolivia
• Chad
• Chile
• Cuba
• Ecuador
• Ethiopia
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• Morocco
• Namibia
• Niger
• Panama
• Paraguay
• South Africa
• Spain
• Sri Lanka
• Uruguay
• Venezuela

Switzerland has declared its support although a formal signature will take months to finalize.

In addition, nine countries have also signed onto a statement that calls on States to develop a global water forum within the framework of the United Nations based on the principles of democracy, full participation, equity, transparency and social inclusion.

This list currently includes:

• Benin
• Bolivia
• Chile
• Cuba
• Ecuador
• Honduras
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Venezuela

The People's Water Forum, a civil society and labour coalition representing nearly 70 countries, has called for water to be recognized as a human right and for an end to the World Water Forum.

"This is a victory for all our groups who have been working for over 15 years for water to be recognized as a human right," says Maude Barlow, senior advisor to the President of the UN General Assembly.

Discussions are ongoing and more countries are expected to sign on to the counter-declaration.

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For further information:
Juan Carlos Alurralde: 05314038653;
Meera Karunananthan: meera@canadians.org, (613) 355-2100;
Dylan Penner, Media Officer, Council of Canadians, Office: (613) 233-4487 ext. 249, mobile: (613) 795-8685, dpenner@canadians.org/