Headlines: Major intergovernmental agreements and actors Action programmes, strategies, and research State of the regional environment GEF Projects in the region Other actors and initiatives Major intergovernmental agreements and actors UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, ESCWA The UN ESCWA has a mandate for raising the level of economic development and cooperation among the countries of its region and between them and other parts of the world. The Natural Resources and Environment Management Programme under its Energy, Natural Resources and Environment Division includes a water resources component covering issues like assessment of water resources in ESCWA member states; harmonisation of environmental standards in the water sector of ESCWA member states; and Progress achieved in the implementation of chapter 18 of Agenda 21, with emphasis on water for sustainable agricultural production (case studies); Development of fresh water resources in the rural areas using non-conventional techniques; and Current water policies and practices in selected ESCWA countries. Financial institutions Islamic Development Bank, IDB Priorities of the bank's agriculture-oriented programmes within its Technical Cooperation Programme among IDB member countries include Agricultural Research and Extension; Crop Protection; Soil Conservation; Livestock Breeding and Husbandry; Water Management; and Environmental Sustainability. Action programmes, strategies and research State of the regional environment GEO 2000 State of the Environment: West Asia Global Enviroment Outlook 2000. GEO is: a global environmental assessment process, the GEO Process, that is cross-sectoral and participatory. It incorporates regional views and perceptions, and builds consensus on priority issues and actions through dialogue among policy-makers and scientists at regional and global levels. GEO outputs, in printed and electronic formats, including the GEO Report series. This series makes periodic reviews of the state of the world's environment, and provides guidance for decision-making processes such as the formulation of environmental policies, action planning and resource allocation. Other outputs include technical reports, a web site and a publication for young people. GEF Projects in the region Projects under implementation UNDP - GEF - Biodiversity: Conservation of the Dana and Azraq Protected Areas The project provides support for environmental management at two key protected areas and enables RSCN (NGO) to initiate similar initiatives elsewhere in the country and to provide environmental education to all segments of Jordanian society. The World Bank is involved as cooperation agency in Dana portion of project. UNDP - GEF - Biodiversity: Final Consolidation and Conservation of Azraq Wetlands and Dana Wildlands by RSCN to Address New Pressures The present project aims to consolidate the pilot phase project "Conservation of Dana and Azraq Protected Areas" to address the new threat and pressures brought about by the Peace Accord in the Dana and Mujib Reserves (as strategic nodes in the Rift Valley ecosystem) and the Azraq Wetland Reserves. Other actors, initiatives and resources Inter-Islamic Network on Water Resources, Development and Management, INWRDAM An inter-governmental, autonomous organization operating under the umbrella of the Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). Established in 1987, includes 15 member states (Bangladesh, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mali, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey and Yemen) and is specialized in the identification of water resources management and development programs. The objectives of INWRDAM are to collaborate and cooperate in the areas of water resources development and management with a view to help its member states in building up the national capability and in the development of the economic production sector relevant to the scientific field of the network; to exchange information, share experiences and maintain a continuing dialogue on the development in the fields of water resources development and management; to set up and maintain a data bank on the developments in the subject area for use of the member states taking into account common interests of the subscribing countries; and to initiate joint projects of research and development, help its member states in the training of quality manpower and render consultancy and advisory services. Green Cross The Green Cross works to prevent conflicts in water-stressed regions. It promotes informed decision-making and the integrated management of river basins and dry zones affected by land degradation. Current projects include active participation and contribution towards the World Water Vision and Framework for Action process, the organisation of workshops and forums focusing on the sharing of international river basins, the Water Emergency Plan for the Middle East, and tree-planting in Burkina Faso. Projects are also currently being developed in West and Southern Africa, South America and Eastern Europe. One programme within the GC Water and Desertification Programme is Water in the Jordan Valley:"Water in the Jordan Valley is one of the most critical issues that the region will need to resolve in the near future. -- Only a regional approach with the broad endorsement of the people and the governments of the region can bring a peaceful and sustainable solution to the problem. The project aims at promoting the conditions that will allow the development of such an endorsement." See also the GC National Sovereignty and International Waters initiative.