Blue Peace Middle East: Regional Platform for Water Cooperation

In the Middle East, the dire situation of water resources demands stronger regional exchange and cooperation than ever before. Blue Peace Middle East Initiative is the only regional plattform engaging six countries Region around water issues. Middle East Since January 2019, the initiative is led by collec- Partners tive leadership representatives from Iraq, Jordan, Turkish Water Institute Lebanon, Turkey, Iran, and, to a more limited de- (SUEN) gree, Syria. The Turkish Water Institute (SUEN) has been designated by concerned parties to function Background information as the Coordination Office for the Blue Peace in the The Blue Peace Middle East Middle East Initiative for two years 2019-2020. The The Blue Peace Middle East Initiative was initially es- Initiative contributes to aim of this project is to support the new structure of tablished in 2011 as part of a partnership between peace building by stimula- the Blue Peace Initiative, including the work of the the Mumbai-based Strategic Foresight Group, the ting political and technical Coordination Office, the Management Committee Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) and the Swe- dialogues about water and the creation of a regional Policy Advisory Com- dish Development Cooperation(SIDA). and supporting concrete mittee. Moreover, the regional network of water in- regional projects, data sha- stitutes and representatives will work jointly on the Under this new structure, the Blue Peace Initiative ring and capacity-building theme of water-use efficiency in agriculture in order continues to develop peace-building and collabo- activities in Lebanon, Iraq, to strengthen food security in the region by stimula- ration activities in the region and to create spaces Iran, Jordan, Turkey and, ting the knowledge exchange and capacity building, for dialogue between countries, water institutions, to a limited extent, Syria. and enhancing dialogue among countries decision makers and experts. The initiative is regionally owned since 2019. The initiative’s new three-tier structure comprises The TAC will be studied by nominated national the following bodies: experts depending on the theme (National Focal Beneficiaries • The top-tier Policy Advisory Committee is made Points) and by Managing Committee Members. A Regional and local water up of influential regional political leaders and regional working group will disseminate information institutions, public organi- chaired by HRH Prince Hassan bin Talal of Jor- on technologies and best practices for optimal agri- zations, agricultural units dan cultural water-use efficiency. and water users • The second-tier Managing Committee works with support institutions to identify thematic Costs areas of concern (TAC) and set priorities in the CHF 520,000 field of water resources management. ------• On the third tier, the Coordination Office sup- Additional information: Duration ports the Managing Committee in facilitating www.bluepeaceme.org 01.03.2019 – 31.12.2020 planned activities. www.bluepeacemiddleeast.org www.bluepeaceinitiative.org Contact Global Programme Water [email protected]