ADB Pushes For Inclusive Water Rights Path

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Human Right 2 Water (HR2W) have joined forces to push for a more inclusive and sustainable approach to water and sanitation services in Asia and the Pacific.

As global efforts continue to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6—clean water and sanitation for all—the ADB’s call for an inclusive, rights-based approach represents a critical step toward a more equitable and sustainable future.

In their latest publication, Paving the Inclusive Path Toward Water for All: Policies and Cases Supporting a Human Rights-Based Approach in Asia and the Pacific, the ADB outlines a comprehensive framework to ensure water and sanitation services are accessible to all, emphasizing the importance of human rights principles in addressing the water crisis.

Water and sanitation are not only essential for survival but are also fundamental human rights. However, despite global progress, 2.2 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water services, and 3.5 billion do not have access to proper sanitation.

In Asia and the Pacific, the numbers are stark: 500 million people lack access to basic water supplies, and 1.14 billion are without adequate sanitation services, according to the World Health Organization and UNICEF.

The publication highlights the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) as a key framework for achieving equitable and inclusive water and sanitation services.

The HRBA principles—nondiscrimination, public participation, access to information, accountability, and sustainability—are the foundation of this approach. It emphasizes that water and sanitation services should be not only available but also accessible, affordable, of high quality, and acceptable to all people.

ADB’s publication presents 12 case studies from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, and Viet Nam.

These projects illustrate how applying HRBA principles leads to more sustainable outcomes, particularly when local communities, women, and Indigenous Peoples are involved in project development.

In Cambodia and Lao PDR, inclusive project planning has resulted in better engagement with marginalized communities.

Similarly, in Indonesia and Mongolia, community participation has sparked long-term collaboration and behavioral changes.

The publication also underscores the need for transparency and access to information, with projects in Nepal and the Philippines serving as models for making data accessible and actionable, particularly for the youth.

Crucially, the publication stresses accountability. Projects in India and Indonesia highlight the importance of structured feedback and grievance processes in ensuring that water and sanitation initiatives meet the needs of their communities.

Sustainability is another key element, as seen in projects in Bangladesh and VietNam, where long-term service delivery involves both environmental considerations and strong community involvement.

Through this HRBA framework, ADB aims to inspire governments and policymakers to implement water and sanitation projects that leave no one behind. This approach, they argue, will help close the water and sanitation gap and ensure that the human rights to water and sanitation are fully realized across Asia and the Pacific.