A Declaration on Water

As Erik Peterson, Director of the Global Strategy Institute, stated today, the global water crisis presents an opportunity for the US government to "do well by doing good." By this he meant that the US could shore up support abroad by helping people get access to the most fundamental resource – water. Today, CSIS launched its Declaration on US Policy and the Global Challenge of Water (pdf) with recommendations for a new water policy for the new administration. Neville Isdell and Senator William Frist co-chaired the Declaration and gave remarks on the mounting water crisis. Senator Frist reminded us that water presents not only a humanitarian problem but also an economic one, with women in Africa losing over 40 billion working hours each year fetching water. Neville Isdell pointed out that the private sector can play a major role in alleviating some of these problems. His company, Coca-Cola, is doing its part in three ways: addressing the footprint of its operations, extending its handprint through public-private partnerships, and helping shape the public policy blueprint by supporting initiatives like this one at CSIS. As Isdell said, “any business can take the first step” and the best time to do so is today.

For more information about the report and video coverage of the event, please visit our website.