Governments must move away from market-driven models and adopt democratic, rights-based approaches to water governance, according to Pedro Arrojo Agudo, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation. In a report to the UN General Assembly, he emphasized that water is a common good essential to life, dignity, and social cohesion, and called for a fundamental “paradigm shift” in how water is managed globally.
Arrojo Agudo highlighted that the current crisis is not merely one of scarcity solvable with technology, but a democratic crisis, where billions of marginalized people live near polluted water sources while powerful interests exploit them. He warned against the commodification and financialisation of water, including speculative markets and public-private partnerships, which undermine both human rights and environmental sustainability.
The expert stressed that water governance should be rooted in equality, non-discrimination, participation, accountability, sustainability, and legality. He urged recognition of Indigenous and customary water rights and the empowerment of communities, particularly women, as central actors in managing water resources. Democratic governance must be participatory and inclusive, respecting the knowledge and contributions of all stakeholders, including Indigenous Peoples and peasants.
Addressing climate change, the report calls for a “water transition” alongside energy transition strategies, emphasizing ecosystem restoration, aquifer and wetland protection, and inclusive planning to reduce vulnerability to droughts and floods. Arrojo Agudo highlighted that aquifers, which hold 30 times more water than surface flows, are critical for managing increasingly frequent extreme droughts.
To ensure equitable access, the Special Rapporteur recommended targeted public subsidies and soft financing mechanisms, particularly in rural and impoverished areas. He emphasized that governments must prioritize human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation in their budgets, following the lead of women from the poorest families who prioritize bringing water to their homes.
Arrojo Agudo concluded that states, multilateral institutions, and civil society must reject the commodification of water and embrace democratic governance models that protect people and ecosystems. He underscored that billions lacking guaranteed access to safe water represent a global democratic challenge, not a business opportunity.
