Abstract

Building on work accomplished under an earlier project (003784 /97-0217), this project aims to promote sustainable development of the Dead Sea Basin under tri-national management (Israel, Jordan, Palestine). Specific objectives are: to assess the relevance of North American agreements on shared water management to the Dead Sea, taking into consideration the current history of violence in the region; to undertake a cost-benefit analysis of the exploitation of Dead Sea water by various sectors at various rates, and provide a sensitivity analysis; to look at options for joint water management that will be constrained by a commitment to maintain some minimum water level (red line); and to design and initiate, a stakeholder participation process that will advance the general objective and that will itself serve as an end product in the context of the Middle East.

Post-Project Summary

The project was slowed down somewhat by external factors, mainly, the second Intifada and a call for Jordan and Israel to declare their support for the "Red to Dead" canal project to be funded by the World Bank. Nevertheless, the following activities were accomplished. Dr Elly Hermon of the Institut Quebecois des Hautes études internationals, Laval University, completed a review and analysis of Canadian-American water agreements, including the International Joint Commission (IJC), the Great Lakes Commission and the Prairie Provinces Water Board. This resulted in a better understanding of these joint water management institutions, arrangements and practices; an assessment of their applicability in the Dead Sea context; a series of short- and long-term policy-oriented recommendations; and increased awareness of the need for regional cooperation on the part of regional stakeholders. No single North American model was identified as appropriate to Dead Sea management, but rather a combination of selected institutional arrangements and management practices. The work set the stage for formalizing a relationship between the IJC and the three concerned governments, and letters of agreement were signed.

Under the second component of the project, Friends of the Earth Middle East (FoEME) identified primary stakeholders within and outside of the Dead Sea basin; conducted an economic analysis of the different uses of water affecting the Dead Sea, with emphasis on the valuation of non-market goods (recreation, environmental quality, etc.). A contingent valuation method was developed as a way of measuring both use and non-use. The economic benefits related to the Dead Sea as defined in the study were incorporated into World Bank terms of reference for the Red to Dead Conduit project. FoEME advocated for a Dead Sea Inter-ministerial Committee and now sits on the Committee as nongovernmental organization representative.

Outputs from the two components included project reports, conference papers, regular electronic bulletins and a multi-stakeholder regional meeting attended by representatives from the three countries in February 2004. FoEME published a book entitled Advancing Conservation and Sustainable Development of the Dead Sea Basin - Broadening the Debate on Economic and Management Issues, which can be viewed online on the FoEME website. Part One presents an economic analysis of different water uses affecting the Dead Sea basin and Part Two, a comparative analysis with North American experience. FoEME continues to advocate for registration of the Dead Sea basin with UNESCO, as either a Man and Biosphere Reserve (MAB) or a World Heritage Site.

Recipient Institution(s)