United Nations recognizes the right to drinkable water as a human right

After more than 15 years of a worldwide campaign led by Bolivia, the United Nations recognized the right to drinkable water as a fundamental right.

The resolution was adopted with 122 votes in favor and 41 abstentions at the UN General Assembly.

This historic step voices deep concern on the 884 million people that do not have access to clean drinkable water and on the 2.6 billion inhabitants of the planet who have no access to basic sanitation.

The resolution calls on the States and international organizations "to offer funding and technology to help poorer countries scale up their efforts to provide clean, accessible and affordable drinking water and sanitation for everyone".

The resolution also recalls the commitments of States members the UN within the framework of the Millennium Development Goals adopted in 2000.

For the members of UCLG, implementing this new human right needs however new governance practices that acknowledges the role of local governments in water supply and sanitation.