“Regional mechanisms for water cooperation between states have the potential to contribute to further regional integration. While the effectiveness depends on the conditions prevailing in the region, the main challenge remains to transform environmental cooperation into broader forms of political cooperation and to initiate a social and political dialogue that moves beyond environmental aspects.” (Kramer 11)
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International
- United Nations Environmental Programme's mission is to "provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations" (UNEP.org). In its Environmental Assessment of the Gaza Strip UNEP "outlines a range of economical options for managing the current situation and regarding the Gaza Strip onto a sustainable path."
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Regional
- Good Water Neighbors (GWN) €” it's main goal is to raise awareness of the shared water problems of Palestinians, Jordanians, and Israelis. The GWN methodology is an original idea that is based on identifying cross border communities and utilizing their mutual dependence on shared water resources as a basis for developing dialogue and cooperation on sustainable water management.
- Regional Water Data Banks Project (RWDBP) consists of a series of specific actions taken jointly by the core parties: the Jordanian, Israeli and Palestinian water agencies. It is one of the projects that came out of the Multilateral Working Group on Water Resources of the Middle East Peace Process.
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Domestic
- Environmental Quality Authority (EQA) has overall oversight and regulatory authority on environmental matters. Its functions are "coordination between Palestinian environment-related governmental institutions,municipalities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector," as well as "coordination between Palestinians and donors supporting environmental activities in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank." (UNEP, 70).
- Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) is "government utility company formed by the 25 municipalities that use its services, and that is responsible for managing water and wastewater." (UNEP 70). A copy of its damage assessment report can be found on the right.
- Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) is "the main regulatory body for water resources management and development in Palestine" (PWA.ps). According to its official web site its main goals are: to execute the National Water Policy as approved by the National Water Council; ensure most efficient management of available water resources in Palestine; seek to achieve and develop water security through optimal planning and management of water resources and explore further resources to ensure balanced management between supply and demand; set standards and establish technical specifications to assure quality control of water works; licensing the exploitation of water resources including the construction of water projects; seek to achieve strong co-operation between PWA and other relevant parties.
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