Bolivia´s Water Minister Speaks At International Forum

Patricia Jones writes from Mexico City, where the Fourth World Water Forum is taking place.

Until a few weeks ago, Abel Mimami was the secretary general of the Federation of Neighborhood Boards (FEJUVE). This UUSC program partner in El Alto, Bolivia, works for public control over the water services which are currently in the hands of French corporation Suez.

Now, Mimami is the only minister for water in the world, appionted by Bolivia´s newly elected president, Evo Morales, an indigenous community leader. Mamami's duties? Implement the right to water in Bolivia. That simple, that much.

Abel spoke on a panel facilitated by Oscar Olivera, leader in the water war in Cochabamba, Bolivia. The topic: public, democratic control over water services.

Mimami will attend the official forum on behalf of the government of Bolivia, where Bolivia will refuse to sign the ministerial declaration because it does not include the right to water in a meaningful way. Bolivia proposed text for the ministerial declaration, but the official forum organizers declined to present it for discussion.

Mimami will encourage other Latin American governments to refuse to sign onto the declaration of the official forum. Mimami was among friends at the international forum. We are very grateful to Bolivia for their leadership and courage in the face of great odds. We are grateful to be among such friends.