The report highlights several specific instances in which the corporate sector has been engaged in UN meetings, events and processes. This is not to suggest that something is amiss by their presence in designated multi-stakeholder processes, nor is it to discount or overshadow the vibrant and indispensable contributions of the other non-State actors working with the UN.

However, there must be a clear distinction between corporate involvement in dialogues and events on the one hand, and policy and governance decisions on the other, and the latter must remain wholly within the democratic authority of UN Member States. While dialogues, forums and other side events are not decision-making bodies of the UN, initiatives that are loosely accountable to the General Assembly can undermine the principle of the equality of all UN Members.

No one is opposed to the United Nations working with water corporations to encourage conservation and the search to reduce the world’s collective water footprint. The concern is that the relationship between the highest levels of the United Nations and the private water sector legitimizes the growing of these corporations on policy, both at the UN and at the nation-state level, which in turn promotes a private market system for water delivery and access at the expense of the public and the poor.

We hope this report and its detailed information about the role of the private water sector at the UN serves to inform the public in the search for a more just and sustainable water future.

 The report may be viewed HERE