MEXICO CITY, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The seven-day World Water Forum ended in Mexico City on Wednesday with the publication of a declaration that does not say water was a human right, against the wishes of the European Union, Bolivia, Cuba, Venezuela and Uruguay.

    The final non-binding declaration said only that water was "critically important" for human development. Ministers and senior representatives from 140 nations also restated their commitment to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals to halve the number of people lacking water and sanitation.

    Mexico's environment minister said that although the document did not satisfy everyone, it was proof that people can reach a consensus.

    "We all recognize that access to water is a fundamental right, but we all need to work harder to incorporate it in our local legislatures," he said.

    The state of Mexico's governor, Enrique Pena Nieto, made a public promise to halve the number of people without water by 2015 in his region.

    "We will do all that is in our power to ensure access to water of quality and in quantity, at a sustainable and just price," he said.

    The ministers also agreed to host the next session of the forum in Istanbul in 2009. Enditem