Bolivia’s President Evo Morales has appointed María Esther Urdaneta as the country’s new environment and water minister as part of a cabinet shuffle on the second day of his new presidential term. Urdaneta, a former researcher at the centre for investigation and promotion of rural communities, will replace former minister René Orellana. She has campaigned for recognition of the right to water as a universal human right, according to the ministerial web site.The ministry will now redouble efforts to improve potable water, sanitation and irrigation services, Urdaneta said at a handover ceremony in La Paz.

Source: BNamericas.com [subscription site], 26 Jan 2010

Tags: governance, latin america & caribbean, policies & legislation, sanitation, water resources management, water supply