The fourth World Water Forum ended in Mexico City Wednesday with
the publication of the Declaration of Mexico, leaving many
unsatisfied because it did not declare water a human right.
In the non-binding declaration, the ministers and senior
representatives of 140 nations stated that water was "critically
important" for human development and restated their commitment to
the United Nations Millennium Development Goal of halving the
number of people lacking water and sanitation.
Venezuela's representative described the document as a "bland
soup," adding "we are using a mechanism that, in our point of view,
does not lead to a solution to humanity's problems."
Representatives of the 25-nation European Union (EU), Venezuela,
Cuba and Bolivia, had campaigned for water to be declared a human
right, while Mexico campaigned for the declaration to be unchanged
from the third forum.
Mexico's representative said that although the document had not
satisfied everyone, it was a proof that people could reach a
consensus.
On Wednesday, the EU said it had signed a deal offering up to €
500 million (about US$600 million) for Latin American governments
which could present appropriate and accountable water projects.
Mexico's mayors and governors said Wednesday they would work
hard to ensure Mexico meet the Millennium Development Goals
domestically.
"We will do all that is in our power to ensure access to water
of quality and in quantity, at a sustainable and just price,"
Enrique Pena Nieto, governor of the state of Mexico, said.
Also in Wednesday's session, an official from the United
Nations' Education Science and Cultural Organization called for
cultural change to tackle what technology cannot do by itself.
Earlier in the week, at least 1,000 Mexicans protested against
the privatization of water supply, which had been promoted in part
by the large commercial Expo that accompanied the Forum.
The participants have agreed to hold the next forum in Istanbul,
Turkey in 2009.
(Xinhua News Agency March 23, 2006)
