Global Water Justice Movement denounces World Bank's strategy to promote privatization of water and the commodification of water resources through UN SDG Agenda

Global water justice organizations from around the world sent a letter on 22 April to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in order to express their deep concerns about a new “high-level” panel convened by the World Bank at the United Nations focusing on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goal on water and sanitation. The movement is particularly concerned about the strong emphasis on private sector participation and private financing in the framework of this panel.

The mandate of this panel should be first and foremost to ensure the realization of the human right to water and sanitation in the implementation of SDG 6, as determined by paragraph 7 of the declaration of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Global Water Justice Movement calls for the United Nations to maintain its leadership over the implementation of SDG 6 and draw from human rights and development experts, including the Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation, rather than corporate lobby groups.

Water is part of social, environmental and cultural commons; it is necessary for life. The obligation of governments to sustainably ensure the human rights to water and sanitation for all without discrimination must be the driving force behind the implementation of SDG 6 rather than the desires of big businesses seeking to promote their interests within the context of a global water crisis.

The European Federation of Public Service Unions was part of this initiative and signed the letter.