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This report by Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) examines the global trend of water privatization and the role of international financial institutions and corporations in commodifying water resources. It argues that water should be treated as a fundamental human right and a social good rather than a commodity, detailing various local and international resistance movements against corporate control of water.

This report by Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) examines the global trend toward the privatization and commercialization of water resources. It argues that water should be treated as a social and cultural right rather than an economic commodity, highlighting how international financial institutions and multinational corporations marginalize poor populations and damage ecosystems through profit-driven management.

This research paper by Howard Mann of the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines how international trade and investment agreements, specifically NAFTA and WTO rules, impact the management of water as a public good. The author argues that while states retain legal jurisdiction, these agreements can severely limit sovereign control, lock in weak domestic management practices, and prioritize foreign investor rights over local and indigenous needs through secretive arbitration processes.