By Abdullahi Lukman
UN Special Rapporteur, Pedro Arrojo Agudo, has called for urgent global reforms to democratize water governance and protect human rights related to access to water and sanitation.
His appeal was made in a report submitted Friday to the United Nations General Assembly.
Arrojo Agudo, who serves as the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, described the global water crisis as a governance issue that requires a shift toward participatory, sustainable, and human rights-based management approaches.
Citing the Water Justice Manifesto from the 2023 UN Water Conference, he emphasized that water and aquatic ecosystems must be treated as shared public resources—not as commodities for private profit.
He urged global leaders to prioritize equity and sustainability in water policy.
“Water governance must be rooted in equality, non-discrimination, participation, accountability, sustainability, and legality,” Arrojo Agudo said.
He stressed the importance of recognizing indigenous and customary water systems and empowering local communities—especially women—to play active roles in water management.
The rapporteur also referenced his previous criticism of England’s privatized water system, accusing it of putting shareholder interests above public service and lacking transparency and accountability.
His report reinforces the UN General Assembly’s resolution that recognizes access to water and sanitation as a fundamental human right—not an economic commodity.
The resolution highlights states’ moral and legal obligations to ensure water access for all, in line with public health, environmental protection, and human dignity.
