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Press Statement of the Gavelholders
The first clustered meetings of the Water Resources and Environment Multilateral Working Groups produced strong momentum for continued progress on important peace process projects. Both working groups were urged toward greater actions by the opening comments of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hassan Bin Talal.
In the Water Working Group, many delegations came forward with financial support for the group's important projects, and several delegations offered new initiatives.
-- The United States and the European Union committed funds to launch implementation of the regional data bank project among the Israelis, Jordanians, and Palestinians. Several other countries announced their interest in supporting the project. The data banks will provide each party with water data that can be used to support regional water management.
-- The United States and Oman announced that each would commit 3 million dollars to establish the Middle East Desalination Research Center in Muscat, Oman. The center is a concrete manifestation of regional cooperation created through the multilateral peace process. A design group will convene as soon as possible to complete a detailed plan for launching the center.
-- Plans are being finalized between Germany and Jordanian, Israeli, and Palestinian organizations to analyze the medium and long-term water demand and supply needs of the region. This critical study will identify and evaluate the options available to increase the water supplies in the region.
-- Ten delegations are conducting twenty regional training courses for water experts and technicians from the Middle East. The courses will contribute to building the technical capabilities and infrastructure needed to improve management of their water resources.
-- Luxembourg, Sweden, and The Netherlands announced new projects designed to help regional parties - especially the Palestinians - better manage their water resources. Luxembourg will focus on the use of marginal water in agriculture; Sweden will focus on domestic water consumption and public awareness; and the Netherlands will work on ground water recharge.
-- Jordan presented a proposal for a regional research and training center focusing on ground water. Jordan will consult further with the interested parties on how to proceed on this proposal.
-- Representatives from the Palestinian Water Authority joined the work of the group, and several delegations offered material support to the authority.
In the Environment Working Group, we witnessed the successful launching of new projects and expanding financial support of existing projects.
-- The Jordanian delegation proposed establishment of a regional environmental education and public awareness center in Jordan. This idea was heartily endorsed by the working group. Jordan will develop plans for the center and coordinate with interested parties .
-- Japan provided the working group with a pamphlet containing the Bahrain Environmental Code of Conduct for the Middle East. The code, which identifies principles and guidelines for environmental management, will be widely distributed to promote further public awareness of the need for environmental protection.
-- Japan, the European Union, and Switzerland agreed to contribute funds toward a World Bank initiative to combat desertification in the region. Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian, Egyptian, and Tunisian experts will carry out the work. The project will focus on the use of marginal water and saline soils, arid lands agriculture, and rangeland and livestock management, economic forestry and orchards.
-- Jordan, Israel, and Egypt are continuing their efforts for a regional approach to establish centers that will combat oil spills. The parties are working to ensure that in the event of an oil spill in the Gulf of Aqaba, all the parties will be prepared to work together to combat the spill and protect the fragile coral reefs.
-- The United States announced its continued support for an initiative to safeguard people from the negative environmental health effects of pesticides. Israeli, Jordanian, Palestinian, and Egyptian experts are developing on-farm demonstration sites for reducing the use of pesticides. The United States also is providing the parties with computer and communications equipment to enhance their coordination on health effects related to pesticides.
Taken together, these projects demonstrate the substantial progress made by both the Water and Environment Working Groups toward the goal of helping to ensure that adequate water supplies are available in the region at an affordable cost and that the environment in the Middle East is well protected.
[end of document]
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