GATS and Water: Retaining Policy Space to Serve the Poor (August 2003) (Ostrovsky, Speed & Tuerk) (Presented at the World Trade Organization's 5th Ministerial in August, 2003) - Center for International Environmental Law

This research paper examines the relationship between the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and domestic water policies, specifically addressing concerns that the liberalization and privatization of water services may conflict with the right to water.

• Global water access is characterized by severe shortages affecting half a billion people, with nearly one billion lacking access to safe drinking water. Water availability further acts as a constraint for various industries, most notably agriculture.
• Many nations are implementing systematic changes to water resource management and service provision, including privatization. There are concerns that applying the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) to these services could negatively impact the right to water.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (2003). GATS and Water: Retaining Policy Space to Serve the Poor (August 2003) (Ostrovsky, Speed & Tuerk) (Presented at the World Trade Organization's 5th Ministerial in August, 2003) - Center for International Environmental Law. https://www.ciel.org/reports/gats-and-water-retaining-policy-space-to-serve-the-poor-august-2003-ostrovsky-speed-tuerk-presented-at-the-world-trade-organizations-5th-ministerial-in-august-2003-2/

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. GATS and Water: Retaining Policy Space to Serve the Poor (August 2003) (Ostrovsky, Speed & Tuerk) (Presented at the World Trade Organization's 5th Ministerial in August, 2003) - Center for International Environmental Law. 2003. https://www.ciel.org/reports/gats-and-water-retaining-policy-space-to-serve-the-poor-august-2003-ostrovsky-speed-tuerk-presented-at-the-world-trade-organizations-5th-ministerial-in-august-2003-2/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=GATS and Water: Retaining Policy Space to Serve the Poor (August 2003) (Ostrovsky, Speed & Tuerk) (Presented at the World Trade Organization's 5th Ministerial in August, 2003) - Center for International Environmental Law |date=1 August 2003 |url=https://www.ciel.org/reports/gats-and-water-retaining-policy-space-to-serve-the-poor-august-2003-ostrovsky-speed-tuerk-presented-at-the-world-trade-organizations-5th-ministerial-in-august-2003-2/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforinternationalenvironmentallaw2003gats, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{GATS and Water: Retaining Policy Space to Serve the Poor (August 2003) (Ostrovsky, Speed \& Tuerk) (Presented at the World Trade Organization's 5th Ministerial in August, 2003) - Center for International Environmental Law}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2003}, month = aug, url = {https://www.ciel.org/reports/gats-and-water-retaining-policy-space-to-serve-the-poor-august-2003-ostrovsky-speed-tuerk-presented-at-the-world-trade-organizations-5th-ministerial-in-august-2003-2/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }