Water is identified as the most strategic natural resource for social, environmental and economic development. This is stated in the "Water, belonging to all and for all" declaration, announced during the first national water meeting, organised by the water ministry. The declaration also states that "no one owns water; water belongs to the state and its protection, preservation and development is the responsibility of all inhabitants".

At the water meeting it was also announced that Bolivia's water ministry has received US$ 297 million (EUR 202 million) in external financing, to be invested in improvements to river basins, irrigation and basic sanitation throughout the country. The government did not say from where or from whom the financing was to come.

Source: BNamericas.com (subscription site), 7 Nov 2007

Tags: policies & legislation