UN General Assembly declares access to clean water and sanitation is a human right

July 29th 2010

Safe and clean drinking water and sanitation is a human right essential to the full enjoyment of life and all other human rights, the General Assembly declared Wednesday, voicing deep concern that almost 900 million people worldwide do not have access to clean water.

The General Assembly resolution also welcomes the UN Human Rights Council’s request that Catarina de Albuquerque, the UN Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation, report annually to the General Assembly as well.

Ms. de Albuquerque’s report will focus on the principal challenges to achieving the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation, as well as on progress towards the relevant Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

During 2010, IHRB has supported the work of Catarina de Albuquerque, who has been focusing on the role of business in water management with specific reference to the right to water.

In collaboration with the Independent Expert and her team, we recently convened a range of experts from business, government and civil society to address dilemmas faced by business (in particular the agricultural sector) in balancing responsibilities relating to the right to water and the right to food.

Further Reading:

General Assembly declares access to clean water and sanitation is a human right - UN News Centre, 28 July 2010