After years of grassroots pressure, the UN General Assembly will debate a resolution on the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation.

Maude Barlow, former senior advisor on water to the president of the UN General Assembly, has described the lack of access to clean water as the "most violated human right."

Amnesty International has called on all United Nations (UN) members to uphold the rights to water and sanitation, after the General Assembly voted in favour of recognizing the rights.

The resolution was supported by 122 countries while 41 countries abstained from voting and none voted against.

"After this promising first step, all states must now take the opportunity to protect the life and health of millions and unreservedly support the rights to water and sanitation," said Amnesty International's specialist on the right to water, Ashfaq Khalfan.