In advance of the Third World Water Forum, Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) has released a series of info briefs revealing the
deep hypocrisy of the European Union's international water policies.
The E.U.'s push for water privatisation in developing countries is covered in a layer of "sustainable development" rhetoric, but the bottom-line is to secure profitable markets around the world for European water corporations. During the World Water Forum, which will
be held in Kyoto, Japan (March 16-23), civil society campaigners from around the world will confront the E.U. with the often disastrous
impacts of its pro-privatisation bias.
be held in Kyoto, Japan (March 16-23), civil society campaigners from around the world will confront the E.U. with the often disastrous
impacts of its pro-privatisation bias.
After a decade of sweeping privatisation, 460 million people around the world are now dependent on private water corporations for their
supply (up from just 51 million people in 1990). The global private water market is firmly controlled by only a handful of giant corporations, all with headquarters in Europe. Far from a panacea for improving access to clean water in the cities in developing countries, it is now clear that the global water corporations have failed to improve the situation of the poorest.
supply (up from just 51 million people in 1990). The global private water market is firmly controlled by only a handful of giant corporations, all with headquarters in Europe. Far from a panacea for improving access to clean water in the cities in developing countries, it is now clear that the global water corporations have failed to improve the situation of the poorest.