1. 1 Blue Revolution Initiative: Improving Water Management for Health, Prosperity and Security in the Middle East and Asia JOHN WILSON Deputy Director Office of Technical Support Bureaus for Asia and the Middle East U.S. Agency for International Development World Water Forum presentation March 20, 2009

2. Status of Water Resources in the Asia and the Middle East Lack of access to safe water Demand is growing Poor urban water management Lack of sanitation and treatment of wastes Weak transboundary water management

3. Lack of Access to Basic Sanitation

4. Water Demand is Growing

5. Economic Return from Water Use in Agriculture Country % Water Use by Agriculture (2004) % Contribution to GDP (2003) % Employment in Ag (2004) Egypt821632 Jordan75211 Morocco891735 India922259 Pakistan972346 Philippines881448 Vietnam872267

6. Poor Urban Water Management IndicatorsDelhiJakartaManilaBest Practice Coverage (%) 695158100% Non-revenue water (%) 535162< 20% Average tariff (US$) 0.07.29.14 Working Ratio 2.45.801.220.68 Staff/1000 connections (ratio) 19.95.34.44 Revenue collection efficiency (%) 70.49897.3100%

7. Weak Transboundary Water Management Some treaties and international basin organizations established in the region. Lack of coordination in water management planning and development Few systems in place for managing transboundary aquifers.

8. Challenges to Improving Water Management Poor enabling environment and weak regulation Widespread use of broad-based subsidies Weak institutional capacity and overlapping mandates Limited public sector and donor resources for new infrastructure Limited to no cooperation between countries on shared water resources management

9. Country Opportunities Augment water supplies More efficient use of water Improve return on water use in agriculture Improve water utility management Expand urban water/sanitation services Strengthen role and capacity of regulatory agencies

10. Regional Opportunities Strengthen existing regional organizations (i.e. Nile Basin Secretariat, Southeast Asia Water Utilities Network) Support formation of new regional organizations (i.e. Arab Countries Water Utilities Association) Share good practices and lessons learned Encourage/support dialog and improved management of shared waters

11. Blue Revolution Initiative: Ensuring broad-based access to water for security, prosperity, and health in the Middle East and Asia. Objective 1: Mitigate tensions associated with shared water Objective 2: Improve environmental management and economic productivity of water resources Objective 3: Improve access and effective use of safe water and sanitation

12. Improved agreements promote better cooperation on shared waters Strengthened regional institutions and networks promote joint planning and water management Strengthened national mechanisms to support better regional water management Objective 1: Mitigate tensions associated with shared water

13. Reduced use of water for irrigation in water-short countries Increased water productivity in agriculture Increased alternative supplies of water Improved protection and management of surface and groundwater resources Objective 2: Improve environmental management and economic productivity of water resources

14. Increased mobilization of domestic financing for water infrastructure Improved effectiveness and regulation of utility operations Expanded public-private partnerships for improved household hygiene and sanitation Improved environmental sanitation in underserved urban areas Objective 3: Improve access and effective use of safe water and sanitation

15. Blue Revolution Initiative Next Steps Look forward and sustain the effort Reach out to other partners Create shared vision with governments and missions – consult, collaborate, be inclusive Be bold and take risks Build capacity of regional platforms – not establish new ones