The People’s Water Forum warns about the marginalization of human rights at the 2026 United Nations Water Conference

Dakar, 26/01/2026 — The People’s Water Forum has today issued a statement expressing its concern about the direction of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, which will be held from December 2 to 4 in the United Arab Emirates, co-sponsored by Senegal and the United Arab Emirates.

The Conference, convened by the United Nations to advance the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6, is the second international meeting on this issue following the one held in 2023. The Forum warns that the current approach marginalizes human rights and favors corporate and financial interests in global water governance.

According to the statement, the multi-stakeholder model places companies and financial actors on equal footing with states and communities, reframing water as a negotiable commodity rather than guaranteeing it as a human right. The Forum also denounces the lack of effective mechanisms to ensure meaningful participation of Indigenous peoples, rural communities, and other groups on the frontlines of the water crisis.

Another issue highlighted is the absence of binding commitments and accountability mechanisms in United Nations water conferences, as well as the emphasis on financial solutions and the promotion of private investment, despite the documented failure of water privatization to ensure equitable and affordable access.

In this context, the People’s Water Forum calls on the international community to ensure that the 2026 Conference promotes intergovernmental mechanisms that guarantee the primacy of human rights, the effective participation of rights holders, and the strengthening of public and community water and sanitation services.

The full text of the statement from the People’s Water Forum is available at this link.

About the People’s Water Forum

The People’s Water Forum is a global coordination platform of water justice networks worldwide that defends water as a human right and a common good in the face of privatization, commodification, and ecological destruction.

Final Declaration of the Annual Meeting of the European Water Movement – Girona 2025

Defending water as a human right and a common good in the face of deregulation and privatisation in Europe

As a result of the annual meeting of the European Water Movement (EWM), held in Girona from 5 to 7 December 2025, the participating organisations make public this joint declaration. The text sets out the main concerns, positions and lines of action agreed upon in a European context marked by increasing pressure on water resources, the promotion of deregulation and privatisation policies, and the weakening of environmental protection frameworks, at a key moment in the preparations for the 3rd United Nations World Water Conference (2026).

The declaration reaffirms the movement’s commitment to the defence of water as a fundamental human right and a common good, and to public, democratic, participatory and life-centred governance.

EWM Final Declaration – Girona Annual Meeting 2025

Girona, 8 December 2025

The EWM Annual Meeting 2025 came at a particularly critical moment, marked by deregulation processes promoted by the European Commission, growing pressure on water resources, and increasing frequency of prolonged droughts and floods. This context coincides with a key preparatory year for the third UN World Water Conference (December 2026), where Member States will need to define their positions and commitments.

This scenario is further complicated by the rise of far-right political forces across Europe, which drives deregulation and threatens fundamental rights such as universal access to water, recognized by the UN General Assembly and enshrined in the Drinking Water Directive.

In this context, the Girona meeting offered a platform for analyzing the impacts of European policies on water management and for developing strategies to defend water as a common and a fundamental human right. The event featured international, European, and national experts, providing critical and rigorous insights into current water-related challenges.

During the Girona meeting, held from 5 to 7 December, the European Water Movement (EWM), raised serious concerns regarding the negative consequences of the revision of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) announced by the European Commission on 10 December 2025, arguing it’s an obstacle for projects’ permitting such as mining projects. One of the main objectives of the meeting was to analyse the proposed deregulation of EU water-related legislation, both in terms of legislative amendment and financing mechanisms.

According to EWM members, weakening this common legal framework would eliminate any guarantee of maintaining the ecological and chemical status of water bodies across the EU. The WFD is the cornerstone of European water policy, and the EWM calls on Members of the European Parliament to defend the Directive and its current standards. Organisations from Catalonia recalled that the WFD has been crucial to improving the conservation status of rivers and aquifers.

The potential revision of the WFD comes only a few years after the Commission’s own evaluation concluded that the Directive is “fit-for-purpose” and essential to meeting common objectives on water and health protection.

Besides, the on-going momentum of rearmament and remilitarization launched by European institutions is a priority issue. Such developments pose questions on both EU policy budgetary priorities and their impacts on the environment and public participation: they risk prevailing on any other issue, water included, and would undermine, reduce or nullify deliberations about preservation of water resources, measures against pollution, and destruction of ecosystems at large, with the argument of being of “overriding public interest”.

The EWM also denounces the shameless aggressive influence efforts of mining and industrial lobbies over the European Commission and the EU Parliament, which prioritise private short-term economic interests over the right to a healthy environment and the health of people in Europe. The Commission has repeatedly stated its support for the Human Right to Water and Sanitation, following the nearly two million signatures collected for the first European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI Right2Water) in 2013, yet its recent actions directly contradict these commitments.

The EWM reiterates its opposition to current policy of European institutions that strongly support the commodification and quotation of natural assets, water included, together with the private financing and increasing role of big capitals in the government of water cycle and resources. These policies are completely against our basic principles of water as part of the commons free from commodification and of public, democratic, participative, grassroots water governance.

The Roadmap towards Nature Credits published by the EU Commission in July 2025, aiming at attracting private investment for nature conservation, constitutes another alerting sign of a Europe governed by the lack of ambition to change the status quo and continue business as usual, where polluters and damagers can further benefit from their detrimental activities rather than shifting to meaningful sustainable practices.

Given that both militarization and natural assets privatisation currently characterize policies pursued by European and International institutions, effective interfaces for social movements are shrinking. In this context, social subjects, and in particular EWM, should operate at multiple levels:

• Towards official institutions: official public declaration and communication of EWM stance against militarist and privatisation policies, also as need for clarity in respect of people and public opinion. The EWM is very much inclined to work with local and EU institutions to continue guaranteeing the protection of water and life at large.
• In social context: mass mobilization and struggles, including coordination and solidarity between different realities. EWM, together with other social networks, will publicly support grassroots initiatives, in particular the campaign “Stop rearm Europe”. In the meantime, where feasible, the EWM could appeal to the human rights institutions against policies hostile to grassroots instances. In particular, the EWM expresses its solidarity to the appeal of the Italian Water Forum by the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), against the legislative project of the Italian Government aimed to exclude public operators under public law from the government of water services. Same solidarity for other territorial struggles, i.e., mobilization in the Balkans against mining projects that threaten to compromise preservation of water resources.

During the Girona meeting, organisations from Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium and Serbia agreed that defending the WFD must be a top priority for 2026. Public operators, local authorities and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights to Water and Sanitation were also present.

The EWM commits to thoroughly follow any developments around EU water norms (WFD, DWD, UWWTD, etc.), carefully monitoring enforcement and implementation and foresees potential interventions, where necessary, in order to guarantee the preservation of water resources in quantity and quality, especially in a context of increasing threat of water scarcity.

The EWM reiterates the importance of cost-efficient Nature based Solutions to cope with the impacts of extreme weather and climate-related events such as floods, fires or droughts.

The EWM also reiterates the urgency to react to pressure of lobbies aimed to relax the rules, regarding in particular: less severe limits and restrictions of some pollutants (microplastics, pesticides, heavy metals, etc.); delay in the implementation of the dispositions; attempts, in case of pollution, to charge the costs onto the community instead of imposing the payment by the polluter.

The EWM calls on EU institutions to be transparent, act according to the general interest rather than for the benefit of a few, respect the Rule of Law and under the principle of prevention, defend democracy and fight against any form of corruption, be it material or intellectual.

Water for Peace! Water is a universal common and can’t suffer privatisation, commodification and financialisation logics.

Governance should be transparent, public, participative and inclusive.

Solidarity between people and communities struggling in defense of human and life rights!

Halt Rearm Europe!

Contact: hello@europeanwater.org
Website: www.europeanwater.org
LinkedIn: in/europeanwater

Below we share the audiovisual and journalistic material generated during the meeting:

Proposta d’un sistema d’indicadors del Cicle Urbà de l’Aigua de l’AMB

Eina d’avaluació integral per avançar cap a una gestió més transparent, equitativa i sostenible del servei.

Enginyeria Sense Fronteres i Aigua és Vida, presentem una proposta per avançar cap a una gestió de l’aigua més democràtica, transparent i garantista amb el dret humà a l’aigua i al sanejament a l’Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona: el sistema d’indicadors del Cicle Urbà de l’Aigua (CIA).

Aquest treball parteix de l’aprenentatge acumulat en experiències prèvies de control públic i comunitari de l’aigua. Destaquem especialment la feina impulsada per l’Observatori de l’Aigua de Terrassa (OAT), que el 2020 va publicar la “Proposta de sistema d’indicadors per a una gestió transparent de l’aigua a Terrassa”. Aquell informe, que defineix principis, objectius i una estructura temàtica d’avaluació en cinc àmbits, ha estat una referència important per avançar cap a models d’indicadors més complets, comparables i orientats a la transparència.

El document original, treballat conjuntament entre Enginyeria Sense Fronteres i Ecologistes en Acció, en el marc de la Plataforma Aigua és Vida, és el resultat d’un treball d’investigació realitzat amb estudiants del Màster de Ciència i Gestió Integral de l’Aigua (CGIA) de la Universitat de Barcelona, que té com a objectiu facilitar un accés plural a una diagnosi i un testatge al llarg del temps dels aspectes més essencials de la gestió de l’aigua a l’AMB. Recull més de dos-cents indicadors de base i setanta-set d’agregats, organitzats en set àmbits temàtics, i incorpora un desenvolupament metodològic exhaustiu, criteris de selecció, eines d’agregació i reflexions sobre la seva viabilitat i aplicació institucional. També serveix com a proposta de referència per al futur Observatori Metropolità de l’Aigua (OMA), concebut com un instrument de seguiment i control públic-comunitari.

El sistema d’indicadors recull els elements necessaris per entendre i avaluar el Cicle Urbà de l’Aigua de manera integral: el marc metodològic que fonamenta la proposta, els criteris utilitzats per seleccionar i estructurar els indicadors, la lògica d’agregació jeràrquica, les definicions detallades dels indicadors de base i agregats, i les equacions i ponderacions que en permeten el càlcul. En conjunt, ofereix una estructura completa per analitzar el servei tenint en compte criteris de sostenibilitat ambiental, social, econòmica i de gènere, i per orientar un procés d’avaluació rigorós i compartit.

En específic, algunes de les qüestions que aquests permetrien mesurar són l’estat ecològic i químic de les masses d’aigua des d’on es capta l’aigua i s’aboca, el grau d’implementació de mesures en el marc de la Nova Cultura de l’Aigua, d’una política de l’aigua de la gestió de la demanda, de balanç hídric incorporant el grau d’implementació de l’aprofitament d’aigües pluvials, regenerades i grises. Així mateix, aspectes socials imprescindibles com el Compliment del Dret Humà a l’Aigua i el Sanejament i d’igualtat de gènere.

Per facilitar-ne l’aplicació progressiva, publiquem alhora un Informe Extracte. Aquest extracte neix com una eina operativa que inclou una selecció de deu indicadors prioritaris, escollits mitjançant un procés de jerarquització. La seva funció és doble: d’una banda, oferir un punt de partida tècnic que permeti començar a treballar amb una primera selecció d’indicadors; i, de l’altra, obrir una via de treball conjunt entre diversos actors i l’AMB per detectar mancances, millorar les propostes i construir consensos al voltant d’un sistema compartit d’avaluació del cicle de l’aigua metropolità. L’extracte no substitueix el document original, sinó que en facilita la implementació participada i progressiva.

Els deu indicadors prioritzats corresponen a sis àmbits del sistema: perspectiva de gènere, compliment del Dret Humà a l’Aigua i al Sanejament, qualitat democràtica del servei, qualitat ambiental, qualitat econòmica i qualitat de la gestió del servei. Aquesta selecció inicial permet començar a treballar amb un volum assumible d’informació i reflecteix el pes intern de cadascun dels àmbits dins la fórmula de càlcul de l’indicador global. En el marc del DHAS, una dada que il·lustra la magnitud del repte és que un 10% de la població de l’AMB pateix pobresa hídrica o té dificultats per pagar els rebuts de l’aigua.

Amb aquests materials s’activa un procés que vol avançar cap a una governança compartida, basada en la transparència, la participació i el control públic i comunitari del servei, en línia amb els principis del DHAS, la justícia ambiental i la Nova Cultura de l’Aigua.

👉 Descarrega l’Informe Extracte

👉 Descarrega el Document Original complet

Condemnation of intimidation and union repression targeting water sector workers in Senegal

4 December 2025

The Africa Water Justice Network (AWJN) issues this statement to the national press in Senegal and to international media outlets to draw urgent attention to a situation of exceptional gravity within the country’s public water sector.

We firmly condemn the ongoing intimidation, pressure, and threats of dismissal directed at workers, including trade union representatives who are advocating for transparency, accountability, respect for fundamental labour rights and sector reforms that impact positively on both workers and served communities. The ongoing repression represents a direct attack on union freedoms and people’s rights.

At the centre of this crisis is Mr. Oumar Ba, a respected worker and union representative known for his commitment to fair and equitable public water services for all communities. In the face of escalating reprisals and a climate of persistent intimidation, he has been compelled to undertake a hunger strike, an act of last resort that reflects the depth of injustice workers and communities are enduring. Specifically, his action is a powerful signal highlighting the deteriorating situation of workers’ rights within SEN’EAU.

Expressing the concern of AWJN, Steering Committee Chairperson Aderonke Ige said, “Threats, sanctions, and dismissal attempts against workers exercising their legitimate rights constitute a blatant violation of international labour standards, including the core ILO Conventions ratified by Senegal”. Reiterating the need for the sanctity of human rights, a member of the Senegalese Water Justice Network, Fatou Diouf, also emphasised that “these practices jeopardise not only fundamental human and trade union rights but also the quality, integrity, and stability of the public water service in Senegal”.

The AWJN also expresses its strong support for the SATES union, which, despite a hostile environment, continues to stand firm and remains the majority union within SEN’EAU. This status testifies to the sustained confidence of the workforce, despite clear attempts to weaken or intimidate the union’s legitimate activities.

Speaking from the AWJN secretariat in Accra, Ghana, the Network’s coordinator, Leonard Shang-Quartey, stated that “the repression of the Water sector workers needs to be condemned by all, especially where that repression is a result of the unions speaking out for the public good and improving services to communities. Their demandsfor fair treatment, improved working conditions, transparency, and accountability will yield better services for communities and therefore should lead to constructive social dialogue, not punitive measures”.

In light of the alarming situation, the AWJN calls for:

I. The immediate cessation of all threats, intimidation, disciplinary measures, and dismissal attempts targeting workers engaged in trade union activities.

II. Urgent medical attention and unconditional protection for Mr. Oumar Ba, with guarantees of no reprisals linked to his peaceful protest.

III. The establishment of transparent, credible, and inclusive dialogue between SEN’EAU, public authorities, and trade union representatives.

IV. Full respect for international labour standards, including freedom of association and collective bargaining.

V. An independent review of SEN’EAU’s managerial practices to ensure alignment with principles of public accountability, transparency, and human rights.

Senegal has long been recognised for its strong culture of social dialogue and democratic governance. The current developments seriously threaten this legacy and undermine the dignity of the workers who ensure the daily delivery of a vital public service.

The Africa Water Justice Network reaffirms its full solidarity with Oumar Ba, with SATES, and with all workers standing for justice, fairness, and the protection of human rights in the water sector. We urge the Government of Senegal and the management of SEN’EAU to act without delay to resolve this crisis, safeguard workers’ rights, and restore a climate of transparency, trust, and respect.

Download the full press release here and find out more here.

Africa trade unions and civil society demand government of Senegal stop intimidatory acts against Oumar Ba and water sector workers.

9 December 2025

We the undersigned trade union and civil society organisations from Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda have watched with consternation the unfolding intimidatory acts of the management of SEN’EAU against union members in Senegal’s public water sector. We have learnt of the bullying and unrelenting pressure being mounted particularly on Mr. Oumar Ba, General Secretary of the Autonomous Union of Water Workers of Senegal (SATES), who has been at the fore of agitation for fair and equitable public water services and the rights of workers.
We find it very disturbing that the management of SEN-EAU has decided to victimize Oumar Ba for refusing to accept their double dealing and attempt to sideline his union, a vocal advocate for workers right, while negotiating multi-year agreements with three other unions within SEN’EAU. The attempt by SEN’EAU to introduce divide and rule tactics among the unions within it through the sidelining of SATES is totally unacceptable and cannot be allowed to stand in a system that must be transparent and accountable to the people.

Perhaps more disturbing to us is the fact that even with the growing outrage over what is being unleashed on workers by SEN’EAU, the Senegalese government has maintained a complicit silence, allowing the management to undermine freedom of expression which is guaranteed in Articles 8 & 10 of that country’s Constitution. Article 8 of the Constitution guarantees all citizens fundamental individual
freedoms, economic and social rights, and collective rights, including freedoms of opinion, expression, association, movement, enterprise, property, work, health, and a healthy environment, all exercised under conditions set by law. No one individual or organisation and not even the government has the right to prevent workers from exercising these rights and liberties. In the face of the very disturbing developments we have observed, we stand in solidarity with Oumar Ba and other victimized unionists and encourage them to remain resolute in advocating for their rights to fair treatment and improved work conditions.

We are calling on the government of Senegal to rein in on the anti-people and anti-workers actions of the management of SEN’EAU and carry out an independent, detailed and transparent review of its managerial practices to ensure they are in line with the principles of justice and public accountability.

You can add your signature here.

Social organisations call for the Water Framework Directive to be maintained following the European Commission’s announcement of its review

The European Water Movement (EWM) warns of the negative consequences of the revision of the Water Framework Directive announced by the European Commission on December 10 at the Environmental Omnibus Package press conference.

Catalonia, December 10, 2025. Last weekend, from December 5 to 7, Girona hosted the EWM‘s Annual Meeting. One of the objectives was to analyse the proposals to deregulate European Union rules on water management, both in terms of derogations and financing.
“Without this common legal framework, any guarantee of the good ecological and chemical status of water bodies of the Europe Union disappears,” warn EWM members. The Water Framework Directive is the vital pillar of all European water policy, which is why they are calling on MEPs to defend the Directive and its current standards.

The EWM denounces the European Commission’s drift, “giving in to mining and industrial lobbies with individual interests that threaten the right to a healthy environment and the public health of all European citizens.” The organisations point out that the European Commission has repeatedly stated its support for the Human Right to Water and Sanitation, following the nearly 2 million citizens who supported the first European Citizens’ Initiative (ICE Right2Water) calling for the recognition of the right to water.

These claims come after the European Commissioner for Environment, Water, and Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, stated last week that the revision of the Water Framework Directive responds to the objective of facilitating the opening of mines in European territory to end dependence on China and the US. It also aims to accelerate projects considered strategic for the Commission, such as data centres.
The EWM links the environmental threat orchestrated by the EC with its rearmament plan and its apparent plan for competitiveness in the global race to lead technological industrial sectors such as Artificial Intelligence. “It should be remembered that the enormous water and energy consumption of AI is still unknown, which should prevent the EC from eliminating environmental assessment and impact procedures, especially in a region of the world affected by permanent water scarcity,” they denounce.

The potential revision of the WFD comes just a few years after the EC conducted an assessment of the directive, concluding that it is adequate to meet the common objectives of water and health protection.

Organisations¹ from Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium, and Serbia met and agreed to prioritise the protection of the Water Framework Directive for 2026. Among those attending were public operators, local administrations, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights to safe drinking Water and Sanitation.

To see the speech by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights to Water and Sanitation, click here.

¹Ayuntamiento de Girona, Diputación de Barcelona, Ayuntamiento del Masnou, Ayuntamiento de Torelló, Ayuntamiento de Viladrau, Institut Català de Recerca en Aigua (ICRA), Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambiental (ICTA-UAB), Centre de Recerca Ecològica i Aplicacions Forestals (CREAF), CAEB-CSIC, CT BETA UVic, LEQUIA – UdG, Wageningen University, Asociación Española de Operadores Públicos de Agua y Saneamiento (AEOPAS), Aqua Publica Europea (APE), Associació de Municipis per l’Aigua Pública (AMAP), Cicle de l’Aigua del Ter SA (CATSA), Consorci per a la Gestió Integral d’Aigües de Catalunya (CONGIAC), Consorci de Medi Ambient i Salut Pública SIGMA, Castelló d’Empúries 2000 SA, Gestió Urbanística i Serveis Arenys de Munt SA, Aigües Municipals de Xàbia (AMJASA), EYATH SA, Observatori de l’Aigua de Terrassa (OAT), Mesa Social del Agua, European Environmental Bureau (EEB), Ingeniería Sin Fronteras (ISF), Aigua és Vida, Plataforma en Defensa de l’Ebre (PDE), Grup de Defensa del Ter (GDT), Càritas Girona, Naturalistes de Girona, Observatori del Deute en la Globalització, European Public Services Union (EPSU), The Netherlands Trade Union Confederation (FNV), Red Agua Pública (RAP), Plataforma Contra la Privatización del Canal Isabel II, Foro Italiano dei Movimenti per l’Acqua, ENDA Colombia, Eau Secours 31, Coordination Eau Ile de France, Water Observatory Xabia, Water Observatory Terrassa, Water Observatory Girona, CEE Bankwatch Network y Polekol/Pravo na Vodu.

The European Water Movement meets in Girona to defend public management and the human right to water

From December 5 – 7, 2025, we will gather in Girona for the annual meeting of the European Water Movement (EWM). We are an open, participatory, and diverse network that promotes water as part of the common heritage of humanity and as a fundamental human right essential for all living beings.

Over three days, activists, researchers, and representatives from public entities and social movements across Europe will discuss current challenges in water management, the advance of privatization, and the need to build public, democratic, and transparent models of water governance.

Program

Friday, December 5 – Water governance for the protection of life
Venue: Auditori Jaume Casademont, Parc Científic i Tecnològic de la Universitat de Girona

Free activities for the general public

• 09:00 – 09:30 – Welcome and Opening
  With the City Council of Girona, the Ter Water Cycle (CATSA) and the European Water Movement
  
• 09:30 – 11:00 – Round table discussion: ‘Challenges in water protection at time of polycrisis’
  With the participation of Pedro Arrojo Agudo, UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Right to Water and Sanitation, and researchers from the Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA).
• 11:30 – 13:00 – Panel discussion: ‘Challenges in public water management: Collaboration between municipalities’
  With the Diputació de Barcelona, the Spanish Association of Public Water Supply and Sewerage Operators (AEOPAS), the Association of Municipalities and Entities for Public Water (AMAP), the SIGMA Consortium and the Consortium for the Management of Waters of Catalonia (CONGIAC)
• 13:00 – 14:00 – Tour of the facilities of the Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA)
  During the visit, participants will be able to see the facilities up close and the main ongoing research projects will also be explained, along with how these contribute to tackling global challenges such as climate change, water reuse and the equitable management of water resources. The tour of the facilities will include the chemistry and microbiology laboratories, the various water treatment pilot plants, the green wall greywater treatment facility and the experimental mesocosms simulating rivers. These facilities allow for the study of ecological and technological processes related to water quality and sustainability under controlled conditions.
• 15:30 – 18:00 – Panel discussion: ‘Water in the hands of citizens: models of governance and citizen observatories’
  With the Girona Water Observatory, the Terrassa Water Observatory, the Xàbia Water Observatory, ENDA Colombia, the Platform Against the Privatisation of the Canal Isabel II and the Italian Water Forum.

Saturday, December 6 – Uniting forces from the local to the global level: for justice and peace
Venue: Centre Cultural La Mercè – Barri Vell, Girona

Space reserved for invited social and environmental organisations

• 09:30 – 11:30 – Mingle party ‘Common struggles: organisation and coordination in front of historic and increasing pressures’
  With the participation of: Aigua és Vida (AéV), Associació Naturalistes de Girona, Càritas Girona, Enginyeria Sense Fronteres (ESF), Cimera Social Aigua, Plataforma en Defensa de l’Ebre (PDE), Associació de Municipis Aigua Pública (AMAP), Red Agua Pública (RAP), Mesa Social del Agua de Andalucía, Asociación Española de Operadores Públicos de Abastecimiento y Saneamiento (AEOPAS), Aqua Publica Europea (APE), European Federation of Public Service Unions (ESPU), Italian Water Forum, Right to Water – Polekol Serbia, Thessaloniki Water Supply & Sewerage (EYATH) – Greece, Foundation ACT – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging (FNV) – Netherlands, Eau Secours 31 – France, Plataforma Colombiana de Derechos Humanos, Democracia y Desarrollo – Colombia, Mesopotamian Water Forum (MWF).
• 12:00 – 13:30 – EU focus ‘New priorities, mechanisms of water financing and their impacts’
  • Introduction and general context, focus on nature and water credits: Athénaïs Georges, European Environmental Bureau (EEB), EWM
  • EU water resilience: Milo Fiasconaro, Aqua Publica Europea (APE)Catalan water resilience strategy: Susanna Abella, Plataforma en Defensa de l’Ebre (PDE), Social Water Summit
  • UWWD and Extended Producer Responsibility: Leandro Moral, Mesa Social del Agua, Red Agua Pública (RAP)
  • Impact of the current EU landscape on workers: Jerry van den Berge, FNV Overheid
• 15:30 – 18:00 – Field trip ‘Stream Protection and Community Projects’ camp
  Led by the Naturalists Association of Girona, with participation from local and European social and environmental movements.

Sunday, December 7 – European Water Movement General Assembly
Venue: Centre Cultural La Mercè – Barri Vell, Girona

Internal space for members of the European Movement for Water

Our vision

At the European Water Movement, we see ourselves as part of a broad movement for water justice, where water symbolizes life and resistance. We work together to keep privatization and commodification away from this vital resource and to advance toward public, collective, and democratic management based on the active participation of citizens and workers.

We aim to identify systemic threats to democracy and to the human right to water, and to build alternatives that ensure just, inclusive, and transparent governance, especially in this context of multiple crises: more frequent droughts and floods, growing inequalities, and widespread human rights violations.

We observe how the privatization of common goods is taking increasingly complex forms, driven by financialization processes that jeopardize access to water. In response, we defend cooperation, solidarity, and public control as the pillars of water management that puts life before profit.

For a just, public, and sustainable water future

This meeting will host debates and collective reflections on public water management and the human right to water in Europe, featuring contributions from activists, experts, and leaders in remunicipalization processes. We will also examine how Europe is adopting water resilience strategies in the face of current challenges and what new risks we must confront.

To guarantee a just and sustainable water future, we urge the European Commission to protect water as a human right and common good, strengthen enforcement of environmental laws, combat overexploitation, restore ecosystems, and ensure that environmental sustainability forms the basis of prosperity and social justice.

Water is not a commodity, it is a shared responsibility, and its governance must prioritize the public interest over market forces.

Information and registration

For any questions or clarifications, please contact: aigua@esf-cat.org

• Register here.

The meeting is organised with the support of various local, national and European organisations committed to defending public water management and water justice, and with the support of the Catalan Cooperation Agency for Development.

See you in Girona to continue building alternatives and guarantee water as a human right and a common good!

Aiguapolis: un joc cooperatiu per repensar la gestió de l’aigua

Aiguapolis és molt més que un joc de taula. És una eina educativa i participativa que ens convida a reflexionar, tot jugant, sobre com gestionem un bé tan essencial com l’aigua. A través d’una dinàmica cooperativa, les persones participants han d’unir esforços per assolir un objectiu comú: aconseguir una gestió de l’aigua que sigui pública, transparent, participativa i justa, tant des d’un punt de vista social com ecosistèmic.

Com funciona?

Per assolir aquest repte col·lectiu, caldrà invertir en la posada en marxa i en el manteniment de projectes relacionats amb el Cicle Integral de l’Aigua (captació, potabilització, distribució i depuració), triar accions quotidianes responsables i demostrar coneixements sobre la Nova Cultura de l’Aigua.

Però compte! La sort també jugarà el seu paper: pot ajudar-vos a fer pujar el termòmetre… o obligar-vos a abaixar-lo!

I com a recompensa… en acabar la partida, qui més hagi contribuït al desenvolupament i manteniment dels projectes rebrà una menció especial: “Màster en la gestió de l’aigua”!

Per a qui és?

Aiguapolis està pensat per a grups d’adolescents, joves o persones adultes, i és ideal per a tallers educatius, activitats de sensibilització, espais comunitaris o simplement per gaudir d’una estona divertida amb contingut transformador.

Què el fa especial?

Aquest joc s’ha creat amb el suport de l’Ajuntament de Sant Cugat i és una adaptació del joc “Aiguapolis”, creat amb la participació i coneixement compartit amb el grup de treball d’educació de l’Observatori de l’Aigua de Terrassa (OAT).

El trobaràs al nostre catàleg d’activitats, escriu-nos a aigua@esf-cat.org per a organitzar una partida!

Quan la IA es beu el futur: aigua, energia i justícia global

L’ONU alerta que l’expansió dels centres de dades posa en risc el dret humà a l’aigua i a l’energia.

La intel·ligència artificial (IA) s’alimenta d’una infraestructura invisible i intensiva: els centres de dades. Milers de servidors que consumeixen quantitats descomunals d’aigua i energia per entrenar i fer funcionar els sistemes digitals que governen cada cop més aspectes de la nostra vida.

Davant aquesta situació, l’ONU ha fet una crida urgent per aturar l’expansió massiva dels centres de dades fins que es coneguin els seus impactes ambientals i socials. El Relator Especial per al dret humà a l’aigua i al sanejament, Pedro Arrojo Agudo, alerta que la seva proliferació posa en risc la sostenibilitat hídrica i energètica i amplia les desigualtats globals.

L’aigua i l’energia al servei del model digital

L’últim informe de Arrojo, El nexo entre el agua y la energía (A/HRC/60/30), denuncia que la digitalització accelerada i el creixement del sector tecnològic estan intensificant la pressió sobre els recursos naturals. Segons estimacions citades per l’ONU, els centres de dades podrien arribar a consumir fins a 6.600 milions de metres cúbics d’aigua en els pròxims anys, i representar fins al 12 % de la demanda elèctrica dels Estats Units el 2028.

Segons el Relator Especial, “un creixement tan massiu de la demanda d’aigua i, sobretot, d’electricitat soscava els plans de mitigació que s’han acordat i suposa una perillosa competència enfront d’altres demandes, incloses les necessitats bàsiques i, en particular, els drets humans a l’aigua potable i al sanejament, així com a una electricitat assequible per a satisfer les necessitats bàsiques de les poblacions empobrides.” (Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, Informe A/HRC/60/30, ONU)

Aquest consum desmesurat s’amaga sota discursos d’“eficiència” i “progrés tecnològic”, però la realitat és que les comunitats més vulnerables en paguen el preu: menys disponibilitat d’aigua per a l’ús domèstic o agrícola, més tensions territorials i una major dependència d’un sistema energètic extractivista i desigual.

Arrojo assenyala que els sistemes energètics sovint violen els drets humans, degraden els ecosistemes i agreugen desigualtats socials. Els models dictats pel mercat, prioritzen el benefici econòmic per davant del benestar ambiental, deixant de banda les comunitats i persones més vulnerables. També adverteix que la producció d’energia i tecnologies “verdes”, pot reproduir dinàmiques d’explotació similars a les de combustibles fòssils, creant així noves “zones de sacrifici verdes”.

És per això que és imprescindible una doble transició, hídrica i energètica, centrada en els drets humans, la protecció dels ecosistemes aquàtics i la governança participativa. Un futur energètic just i sostenible és inseparable d’un futur just i sostenible, tots dos han d’avançar plegats per garantir drets humans i ambientals.

El Relator Especial també diu que s’ha de reconèixer el Dret Humà a l’Energia neta i sostenible, necessària per una vida digna.

Una mirada des de la justícia ambiental

Des d’Enginyeria Sense Fronteres recordem que l’aigua i l’energia són béns comuns indispensables per a la vida, no recursos al servei de la rendibilitat tecnològica i econòmica. La transició digital no pot reproduir les mateixes lògiques de concentració i espoli que ja veiem en el sector extractiu o en la indústria energètica.

Cal exigir transparència, regulació i participació democràtica sobre on i com s’instal·len aquests centres de dades, i sobre quins criteris ambientals i socials s’hi apliquen. Les decisions que prenguem avui determinaran si el futur digital serà una eina per a la vida o una nova forma d’extractivisme.

En paraules d’Arrojo-Agudo, en una entrevista a Cadena SER, “fa falta que entenguem el repte que se’ns està plantejant. Que entenguem el fenomen, el que aquest demandarà, qui ho paga i com es gestiona. I per a això fa falta una regulació adequada.”

Per afrontar aquest repte, cal una planificació integrada de l’aigua i l’energia, amb objectius comuns: mitigar el canvi climàtic, reduir emissions i assegurar sostenibilitat dels ecosistemes, especialment els aquàtics (aqüífers, aiguamolls, i ecosistemes riberencs). La transició hídrica ha de garantir una gestió sostenible a escala de conca sota la responsabilitat compartida dels estats i de les comunitats que hi viuen.

En definitiva, un futur digital realment just, només serà possible si la transformació tecnològica va acompanyada d’una transformació ecològica i social basada en la justícia hídrica, energètica i climàtica.

🎧 Pots escoltar aquí l’entrevista completa amb Pedro Arrojo a Cadena Ser:
👉 Spotify – “El nexo entre el agua y la energía”

📄 I consultar l’informe complet de Nacions Unides:
👉 A/HRC/60/30 – Informe del Relator Especial sobre el Derecho Humano al Agua y al Saneamiento

Últims passos per al Centre d’Empresa i Drets Humans

El grup d’Empresa i Drets Humans compareix una vegada més al Parlament davant la proposta de llei per a la creació del Centre d’Empresa i Drets Humans. Manifesta la seva conformitat amb el text, però demana que s’incorporin una sèrie d’articles per donar més garanties i seguretat jurídica a totes les parts afectades. Entre aquests reclams hi ha la incorporació d’un procediment de presentació de queixes, un procediment sancionador quan la informació no es presenti o sigui insuficient i la definició de la governança.

És la tercera vegada que el grup d’Empresa i Drets Humans de Lafede compareix al Parlament per valorar la proposició de llei de creació del Centre Català d’Empresa i Drets Humans, un òrgan que ha de vetllar perquè les empreses que operen a Catalunya no vulnerin els drets humans. Després de les anteriors compareixençes truncades per canvis de legislatura, el grup va comparèixer el passat dimarts 28 d’octubre, arran de l’admissió a tràmit de la proposta al juliol. Marta Ribera, d’Observatori DESCA, i Josep Babot, d’Enginyeria Sense Fronteres, han representat el grup promotor de la iniciativa, format per Lafede i la Taula Catalana per la Pau i els Drets Humans a Colòmbia, i que compta amb el suport de més de 8.000 organitzacions de la societat civil.

Durant les intervencions, van expressar la seva conformitat amb el text registrat, que recull les demandes aportades anteriorment. Aquestes són que el Centre sigui independent, eficaç, accessible, compromès i valent, va recordar Babot davant dels representants dels grups parlamentaris.

D’altra banda, Ribera va afegir que hi ha mancançes que caldria incorporar per tal de donar més garanties i seguretat jurídica a totes les parts afectades, tant del Nord com del Sud global. “Caldria legislar un procediment de presentació de queixes perquè sigui clar i segur per a tothom. Així mateix, creiem necessari establir un règim d’infraccions administratives, un procediment sancionador pels casos en què durant la presentació de queixes, o bé no es presenti la informació requerida, o aquesta sigui insuficient”, va afirmar.

També va afegir entre les demandes la necessitat d’explicitar les funcions i la composició del Consell Assessor d’Empresa i Drets Humans. “Demanem als grups parlamentaris que facin un esforç per trobar una composició equilibrada, de manera que estigui garantida la veu, en igualtat de condicions, de totes les parts, a fi que les persones proposades per a la Junta de Govern puguin garantir que el Centre desenvolupi totes les funcions que té assignades dins la llei”, apuntava.

Els grup parlamentaris van mostrar el seu interès per la iniciativa i esperen que s’aprovi en aquesta legislatura. Alberto Balsero, del PSC, va assenyalar que el Centre contempli també la funció de fomentar els drets humans dins el sector empresarial, així com que el text garanteixi un procediment de queixes i de sancions que no danyi la reputació empresarial.

Joan Canadell, de Junts per Catalunya, a més d’aquests dos punts, va mostrar la seva preocupació perquè l’actual text afecta totes les empreses que operen a Catalunya i va reivindicar un model de governança més simple en què el sector empresarial hi tingui veu. Per la seva banda, Míriam Casanova, del Partit Popular, va proposar que la iniciativa es porti a l’Estat. Des del grup dels Comuns, Susana Segovia, va celebrar l’evolució del text durant les tres compareixences, fruit del treball de recollir el que han aportat les compareixents en anteriors legislatures; i Anna Balsera (ERC) va cloure afirmant que aquest cop sí que l’aprovaran, un fet que hauria de produir-se després de les compareixences escrites i del període d’esmenes, i abans que acabi l’any: “És el nostre compromís”.

Pobresa hídrica: com garantim el dret humà a l’aigua?

Analitzem les causes i conseqüències de la pobresa hídrica i reflexionem sobre com garantir l’accés universal a l’aigua en contextos de creixent desigualtat.

La sisena edició del cicle Veus de l’Aigua, organitzada en el marc de la Cimera Social de l’Aigua, ha posat el focus en la pobresa hídrica, un fenomen que es manifesta en les dificultats d’accés a una font d’aigua potable, segura i assequible. Aquesta realitat és un obstacle per a la garantia del dret humà a l’aigua i al sanejament, reconegut per les Nacions Unides l’any 2010.

En el seminari es van abordar les tendències dels darrers anys, que mostren un increment alarmant de les situacions d’inseguretat hídrica i les seves conseqüències sobre la salut, les oportunitats educatives i laborals, i les desigualtats socials. També vam reflexionar sobre com podem garantir-ne l’accessibilitat en contextos com el nostre.

Vam comptar amb la participació de:

• Mònica Guiteras Blaya, tècnica de l’àrea d’Energia i Extractives d’Enginyeria Sense Fronteres i membre de l’Aliança contra la Pobresa Energètica.
• Katie Meehan, professora del King’s College London i coordinadora del projecte Plumbing Poverty.
• Elena Domene, cap de l’Àrea de Sostenibilitat de l’Institut Metròpoli.

La sessió va ser moderada per Mar Satorras, investigadora en Sostenibilitat de l’Institut Metròpoli.

▶️ Pots recuperar el seminari complet en aquest vídeo: