statementbytheunitednationsexperton.docVIP

STATEMENT BY THE UNITED NATIONS EXPERT ON WATER AND SANITATION (VISIT TO COSTA RICA, 19-27 MARCH 2009) 27 March 2009 From 19 to 27 March 2009, I conducted a mission to Costa Rica. The aim of my visit was to assess the way in which Costa Rica is implementing its human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation. This is my first country mission since I began serving as Independent Expert in November 2008. Let me begin by expressing my gratitude to the Costa Rican Government for inviting me to visit the country. This willingness to co-operate with the international community, witnessed by the standing invitation made by the Government to all special procedure mandate holders of the Human Rights Council, is admirable, and I wish to take this opportunity to thank the Government for the openness shown before and throughout the mission. I would also like to express my gratitude to UNDP for the support they have given me in the organisation of my visit. During the course of the mission, I met with a wide variety of actors, including representatives of various Ministries, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Telecommunications (MINAET) and the Ministry of Health (MINSALUD); members of the Asamblea Legislativa, representatives of municipalities, members of the judiciary, the Defensoría de los habitantes (Ombudsman), civil society organisations, United Nations agencies and bodies, the academia and the private sector. During my 9 days in the country, I travelled to several locations in the provinces of Guanacaste, Puntarenas, Limón and Cartago, where I visited schools, national parks, and a police station to look into issues related to my mandate. In these locations I had the opportunity to meet with different stakeholders. I welcome the significant progress made by the Government of Costa Rica in expanding access to safe drinking water and sanitation. At 82.2 per cent, Costa Rica