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ANE Regional Activities
>> Regional Overview >> ANE Regional Activities Overview ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: Asia and the Near East Regional
TITLE AND NUMBER: Environment Managed for Prosperity and Sustainability, 498-024
STATUS: New
PLANNED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $500,000 DA; $4,676,000 ESF
PROPOSED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $650,000 DA, $4,000,000 ESF
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 2001 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: ContinuingSummary: Demands on water, natural resources, agricultural and environmental systems are intensifying across the Asia and Near East (ANE) region due to population growth, urbanization, industrialization, and agricultural development. Recent droughts, water shortages, and deteriorating water quality have highlighted the need for improved water resources planning and management across the Middle East and Asia. Industrial and air pollution are pressing environmental problems-serious air pollution in Asian cities is estimated to cause at least 1.5 million premature deaths per year. Over one-third of all agricultural land in Asia has been degraded, mainly through erosion, nutrient depletion, waterlogging and salinization. Much of this is due to poor land management and destructive irrigation and fertilization techniques. Asia's rich and diverse natural heritage is threatened by continuing fragmentation, degradation and loss of habitat. Asia has lost more of its original tropical forests that any other region of the world.
Despite the magnitude of these problems, significant opportunities exist. USAID plans to work through the Environment Managed for Prosperity and Sustainability objective to address key environmental issues, prevent conflicts, and promote environmentally sustainable economic development in the ANE region. This objective will: 1) promote innovative public-private partnerships and increase private sector participation in environmentally-sound water, agriculture, and urban development; 2) build national and regional capacity and strengthen the policy and regulatory environment for environmental planning and sustainable natural resources management; and 3) strengthen regional forums, networks, and associations for cooperation and advocacy for environmental protection and improved natural resources management.
The objective will be implemented through three carefully targeted, complementary activities. The East Asia and Pacific Environmental Initiative (EAPEI) component will improve environmental quality in the East Asia and Pacific region by expanding environmental capacity and knowledge through joint efforts of the Department of State and USAID. The South Asia Regional Environment component will help address South Asia's environmental needs and promote local and regional solutions to environmental problems by fostering improved environmental planning and management; strengthening regional forums, networks, and associations for environmental cooperation and advocacy; and strengthening local and regional capacity to design and carry out effective environmental and natural resources management programs. Under the Fostering Resolution of Water Resources Disputes component, USAID will help governments and key stakeholders in the Middle East to prevent conflicts and reach agreement on equitable and sustainable strategies, policies, and plans for managing scarce water resources. The water dispute resolution activity employs an innovative, collaborative problem solving approach for resolving water disputes between parties with divergent or competing interests, therefore addressing long-standing regional, national, and local domestic water issues throughout the Middle East.
Key Results: Key results for this new objective have not yet been completely developed, but will build on the results developed for previous regional environmental activities and results. Illustrative results are shown in the Selected Performance Measures section below.
Performance and Prospects: In FY 2001, this objective will focus on three activities: 1) the East Asia and Pacific Environmental Initiative (EAPEI); 2) the South Asia Regional Environmental Program (SAREP); and 3) Fostering Resolution of Water Resources Disputes (FORWARD).
In FY 2001, USAID will obligate $3,488,000 ESF for the East Asia and Pacific Environmental Initiative. The EAPEI component will support reform of forest management policies and management systems to enable communities to play a more formal role in the management of public forest lands. For example, through assistance to the Asia Forest Network and Community Forestry International, EAPEI will facilitate exchange of information on innovative community forestry policies, development strategies and best practices; and link community forestry activities around Southeast Asia. The goal of this activity is to accelerate the development and implementation of national and local policies and operational procedures that enable local communities to engage formally in management of forests under governmental jurisdiction.
In FY 2001, USAID will obligate $1,188,000 ESF for the South Asia Regional Environmental Program. Under SAREP, research by the U.S. Geological Survey is expected to lead to a better understanding of the geochemistry and hydrology of arsenic contamination of groundwater in Bangladesh. SAREP will also provide technical assistance to the new Board of Directors, which will oversee the operation of the Bangladesh Tropical Forest Conservation Fund.
In FY 2001, USAID will obligate $500,000 DA for the FORWARD component. FORWARD will explore new ways of overcoming obstacles to sustainable management of water resources. For example, in Egypt FORWARD will support efforts to remove the crippling debt burden placed on water authorities when they receive loans for infrastructure development from the Ministry of Finance. FORWARD will work with an oversight committee with representatives from every major stakeholder in the water sector. By late 2001, the final product will be developed. It will be a legal document that will require government and presidential approval to help revise the current system in Egypt, therefore helping these utilities to become more autonomous and financially self-supporting.
Possible Adjustments to Plans: Starting in FY 2001, this regional objective includes funding for and reporting on activities previously notified under the objectives "Fostering Resolution of Water Resources Disputes" (498-002); "South Asia Regional" (498-013); and "East Asia and Pacific Environmental Initiative" (498-015). New water conflict resolution activities may expand coverage of water issues from the Middle East to include Asia, and may promote more sustainable use of water to support agriculture development. Over the coming decade, water is expected to emerge as South Asia's most vital and contested natural resource.
Other Donor Programs: This objective is being managed as a regional activity, with special attention to public-private partnerships and donor collaboration in its implementation. For example, in collaboration with the World Bank, UNICEF, and the Asian Development Bank, the South Asia Regional Environment component will support a comprehensive study of the sources and mechanisms that concentrate arsenic in groundwater in Bangladesh. Through EAPEI, USAID will expand its cooperation with major U.S. foundations active in East Asia and the Pacific, e.g., the MacArthur and Packard foundations, and with the bilateral programs of Japan, Germany, New Zealand, and Australia.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: Implementing partners include: 1) U.S. Government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, USDA Forest Service, Department of Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, and the Department of Energy; 2) U.S. consulting firms such as Development Alternatives, Inc.; 3) U.S. non-governmental organizations such as Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, and World Resources Institute; 4) international agricultural research centers such as the International Center for Research on Agroforestry and the Center for International Forestry Research; 5) the University of Rhode Island's Coastal Resources Center; and 6) international organizations such as the South Pacific Regional Environmental Program.
Selected Performance Measures: Performance measures are still being developed for this new activity. Measures likely will be consistent with previous regional environmental activities. Illustrative indicators include:
- Implementation of forest management policies that encourage conservation and more sustainable use of tropical forest resources
- Tropical Forest Conservation Act (TFCA) secretariat established and operational
- Number of mediated water agreements on track for implementation
- Enactment and enforcement of policies and regulations that prevent destructive fishing and promote marine conservation and management
U.S. Financing
(In thousands of dollars)
Obligations Expenditures Unliquidated Through September 30, 1999 0 DA 0 DA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Fiscal Year 2000 0 DA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA Through September 30, 2000 0 DA 0 DA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Prior Year Unobligated Funds 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Planned Fiscal Year 2001 NOA 500 DA 0 CSD 4,676 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Total Planned Fiscal Year 2001 500 DA 0 CSD 4,676 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Future Obligations Est. Total Cost Proposed Fiscal Year 2002 NOA 650 DA 3,210 DA 4,360 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 4,000 ESF 18,674 ESF 27,350 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA
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Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
