The Commons in a Glocal World

23International investment agreements and mega-regionals

Promoting or undermining the right to water?

Rodrigo Polanco Lazo and Azernoosh Bazrafkan

Introduction

In recent years, there has been a definite movement headed for the recognition of a human right to water, beyond the mere cognizance of a human need, with emphasis in mechanisms to implement it as an effective right. But the capacity of States to provide water supply and sanitation depends largely on their ability to establish, operate and maintain water distribution services and related infrastructure (Boisson de Chazournes, 2015, pp. 80, 149). For that purpose, it is vital to secure sources of investment in this sector.

The last three decades have experienced an increase in public–private ...