Following is a Web version of a document from USAID's 1997 Congressional Presentation. Please note that some formatting may have been lost in the automated conversion of the original file. This document is also available for download in its original WordPerfect 5.1 format.

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FY 1997 Development Assistance: $29,405,000
FY 1997 Economic Support Fund Request: $39,400,000

Introduction.

The Asia and Near East (ANE) Regional portfolio provides reinforcement to USAID bilateral strategies in economic growth, including HIV/AIDS prevention, environment and population. USAID goals of protecting the environment, encouraging economic growth and stabilizing population growth are also pursued on a regional basis when it is more efficient than bilateral programs. Activities include ESF-funded activities and residual activities of recently closed field programs.

U.S. national interests are served: by assistance in efficiently managing and sharing water resources in support of Middle East peace objectives; by reducing pressures on water supplies and quality by limiting population growth pressures on those resources in countries among the most water-scarce in the world; by monitoring the spread of HIV/AIDS in the region and supporting measures to limit cross-border spread of the disease in the Asian countries with the world's greatest rates of increase in persons infected; and by the U.S.-Asia Environmental Partnership to increase the use of U.S. technology to deal with the urban and industrial environmental problems created by the rapid economic growth in Asia.

ANE Regional activities include completing U.S. Government payments required under a 1987 Treaty on Fisheries with 16 Pacific Island Countries and residual activities for closed USAID programs for the South Pacific, Thailand and Tunisia and, after September 1996, Oman.

The Development Challenge.

The ANE region is one of the world's most diverse and dynamic. Rapid economic growth and industrialization as well as high levels of poverty both exist in the region. The region includes some of the most water-short countries in the world. High population growth rates exacerbate the acute shortage of freshwater supplies and degradation of water quality, particularly in the Near East. Rapid rates of sperad of HIV/AIDS infection already have high human and economic costs and threated future economic growth, especially in Asia.

For Asia two potentially conflicting goals present the development challenge: (a) sustaining large increases in economic activity and growth; and (b) improving environmental quality. In the Near East, management of water resources must be improved and effective mechanisms to manage shared water must be found. For the ANE region as a whole, trends in economic growth must be maintained while population growth slows and environmental pollution is reduced.

Protecting the Environment

The United States - Asia Environmental Partnership (US-AEP) is an inter-agency initiative, sponsored by USAID, which engages the strength of the U.S. Government, and U.S. academic, professional and technological communities, to deal with the environmental challenges of rapid industrial and urban growth in Asia. US-AEP brings together U.S. environmental technology and Asian private and governmental entities to develop clean technologies for future Asian growth.

The Fostering Resolution of Water Resources Disputes (FORWARD) activity is an ANE initiative to bring parties competing for scarce water resources together to find sustainable solutions. Initial disputes likely will be within countries to utilize traditional methods of mediation and conciliation together with collaborative approaches from international experience. As progress in the peace process is made, activities to deal with transboundary disputes may be undertaken in the Near East. Activities may also be conducted in other countries of the ANE region.

Broad-Based Economic Growth

Regional activities support analysis of economic growth trends and of the major threat to growth from spread ofHIV/AIDS infections. The region already has more HIV/AIDS infections than any other part of the world, and its spread has the potential to restrict economic growth by a greater amount that the still low official reports of its incidence would indicate. Interventions will support prevention of cross-border transmission of HIV/AIDS and education of high-risk populations, policy-makers and businesses.

A transfer ($5,000,000 of Economic Support Funds) to the Department of State supports a Middle East Peace Process activity for joint economic and technical activities strengthening cooperation between Israel and its neighbors. Another transfer ($14,000,000 of Economic Support Funds) to the Department of State will make the annual U.S. Government payment under the Treaty on Fisheries between the United States and Pacific Island countries. Under the Treaty, U.S. boats will be licenses to take about $200 million of tuna annually from Treaty waters through FY 2002.

Stabilizing World Population Growth and Protecting Human Health

Regional activities to help stabilize population growth will analyze trends and assist preparations for and analyses of training, education and communications, service delivery and data collections in the ANE region.

Residual Activities of Closed Field Programs

The South Pacific Regional program closed in FY 1994. Fisheries Treaty payment responsibilities are managed by transfer to the Department of State (see Economic Growth above); all other residual responsibilities were assumed by the USAID Mission in Manila.

The Pakistan program closed in FY 1995. Responsibilities for the Pakistan Nongovernmental Organization Initiative and other residual matters have been assumed by the ANE Bureau.

The Thailand program closed in FY 1995 and USAID Regional Support Mission in Bangkok will closed in FY 1996. Responsibilities for the U. S.-Thai Partnership and other residual matters will be assumed by the USAID Mission in Manila.

The Tunisia program closed in FY 1995. Responsibilities for residual matters have been assumed by the ANE Bureau.

The Oman and Yemen programs will close in FY 1996. Residual responsibilities will be assumed by the USAID Mission in Cairo.

PROGRAM: Asia and the Near East Regional
TITLE AND NUMBER: United States-Asia Environmental Partnership (US-AEP)
(499-SO01)
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1997: $20,000,000 DA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1995 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2001

Purpose: To promote and reenforce the introduction of a sustainable, clean production regime for the industrial and urban sectors in the Asia region.

Background: The relationship between rapid economic growth in Asia and industrial and urban pollution in the Asia region defines a global environmental crisis. Asia has yet to install 80 percent of the industrial capacity that it will have by the year 2010, suggesting a once-in-a-generation opportunity to get ahead of the investment curve to introduce a clean environmental regime. A large part of new investment will originate in the advanced Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. This is an important economic opportunity for the United States.

USAID Role and Achievement to Date: United States-Asia Environmental Partnership (US-AEP) support promotes and reinforces initiatives directed to a clean production revolution in the industrial sector of Asian economies. Achievements include the mobilization of U.S. Government agencies in a partnership with the U.S. business and environmental community to address the Asian challenge on a broadly-conceived regional basis. Results are quantified in a range of indicators of the clean technology revolution, including the adoption of U.S. experience, technology and practice. To date, the US-AEP has contributed to the export sales of approximately $500 million worth of U.S. environmental goods and services.

Description: US-AEP focuses on four activity areas: strengthening and expanding the incentives and public policies for environmental quality in the industrial sector, introducing environmental management systems to the industrial sector, reducing the barriers to the transfer of environmental and clean process technologies, and increasing the investment in environmental infrastructure. The US-AEP engages the experience, technology and practices of business, not-for-profit, and government organizations already committed to related goals and prepared to extend their own initiative to Asia. Most of them also provide major portions of the funds for joint efforts with US-AEP. A separate activity continues support for the Biodiversity Conservation Network which provides grants to communities and local organizations in Asia working for site-specific enterprise-oriented approaches to biodiversity conservation sustainable use of forest and marine resources.

Host Country and Other Donors: US-AEP inputs are made available in direct proportion to the investment of cooperating Asian governments and organizations, including not-for-profit, business and inter-governmental organizations. Successful US-AEP experience and ideas will be taken-up by financing agencies, like the Asian Development Bank and World Bank, and by regional groupings such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

Beneficiaries: There is a range of beneficiaries: the citizens of participating countries, and particularly urban populations; populations on all continents will benefit from reductions in greenhouse gasses and other pollutants threatening global warming; and U.S. business and labor will benefit from sales of their experience, technology and practice to Asian clients.

Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: The US-AEP is implemented by four contractors (the Institute for International Education, International Resources Group, Louis Berger International, and K&M Engineering) and by cost-share partnership arrangements with five U.S. Government agencies (the Departments of Agriculture and Commerce, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and the Export Import Bank), the California Environmental Protection Agency, the National Association of State Development Agencies, the Council of State Governments, and seven non-governmental organizations (the Air and Waste Management Association,the American Consulting Engineering Council, the Asia Foundation, Environmental Technology Network Associates, the Tata Energy Resources Institute, the World Environmental Federation, and the World Wildlife Federation). The Biodiversity Conservation Network is a consortium of the World Wildlife Fund , theNature Conservancy and World Resources Institute.

Major Results Indicators:

Baseline Target

Environmental goods and services as a 1% 7%
percentage of total industrial imports in
ten target countries
U.S. marketshare of environmental goods 10% 20%
and service imports in ten target countries
Environmental infrastructure - 3% 15%
increase in percentage annual growth in
five target countries
Countries in which sustainable development 2 10
is an explicit goal
Countries in which environment is included 3 10
as a strategic factor in industrial policy
Countries in which industrial technology 3 10
extension systems are operating

PROGRAM: Asia and the Near East Regional
TITLE AND NUMBER: Fostering Resolution of Water Resources Disputes (FORWARD) (298-SO01)
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1997: $1,000,000 DA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1995 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2001

Purpose: To promote equitable and environmentally sustainable water management strategies, policies and plans in countries in the Asia and the Near East (ANE) region which are facing serious water shortages and/or disputes over water.

Background: A key factor in water resources problems in the ANE region is the absence of effective mechanisms to manage shared water resources collaboratively and to resolve domestic and transboundary disputes over water. This results in impediments to efficient integrated water management. Where water disputes can be resolved, peaceful relations are enhanced.

USAID Role and Achievement to Date: USAID has been a partner to many ANE countries in water resources development over the years, and has supported collaborative use of water resources in both Asia and the Near East with capital projects and technical assistance. The initial focus of the Fostering Resolution of Water Resources Disputes (FORWARD) activity is on the water problems of Egypt, Jordan, and the West Bank and Gaza, but any ANE country with domestic and/or international water sharing problems can participate in FORWARD.

Description: FORWARD will provide U.S. contractor services for developing approaches to disputes resolution based on traditional practices in the countries involved, such as mediation or conciliation by persons respected by all parties, and environmentally sustainable technical approaches. FORWARD will support preparatory seminars to acquaint the parties with these approaches and will give limited support to measures to carry out solutions or will help the parties obtain financing from international development finance institutions if major costs are involved. Once new resolution practices are proven, FORWARD will spread their wider use.

Host Country and Other Donors: Host governments and educational and development institutions will be sources of traditional expertise and personnel for interventions in disputes. Costs of testing resolution methods may be shared with the relevant USAID country program(s). The parties will share costs of solutions. FORWARD will assist, where appropriate, in obtaining major financing needs from other donors and international institutions like the World Bank.

Beneficiaries: The parties to water disputes are the primary beneficiaries. The wider local, national or international community also benefits from better integration of water management and reduction in tensions associated with resolution of disputes.

Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: The principal contract for implementation of FORWARD is to be awarded in the spring of 1996.

Major Results Indicators:
Baseline Target
Disputes resolution approaches collaboratively
developed and tested in Egypt, Jordan, and the
West Bank and Gaza 0 3

Affected parties begin to implement solutions 0 3

PROGRAM: Asia and the Near East Regional
TITLE AND NUMBER: Asia Near East Regional HIV/AIDS (298-SO03)
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1997: $3,205,000 DA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1995 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: Continuing

Purpose: To improve the effectiveness of regional and country HIV/AIDS prevention programs and projects, which largely focus on preventing the spread of the epidemic within specific countries; to develop means of reducing cross- border spread of the epidemic; and to coordinate the use of USAID resources in a comprehensive HIV prevention program in the Asia and the Near East (ANE) region.

Background: Although the HIV/AIDS epidemic has peaked in other parts of the world, it is exploding in Asia, posing a significant threat to sustainable development. In Cambodia, a recent assessment showed that 4% of all pregnant women are infected, the most rapid shift from the high risk to the general population. However, even without a cure, a range of interventions can reduce or slow the spread of HIV infection.

USAID Role and Achievement to Date:. The Asia and the Near East (ANE) Regional HIV/AIDS activity has served as a catalyst to generate innovative area-specific programs, has allowed decision makers and implementors to rapidly share and disseminate information, and has enabled country programs to experiment, test and implement programs. Assessments have taken place in nearly all ANE countries, resulting in new HIV/AIDS activities in all high risk areas, including cross-border regions. Regional HIV/AIDS assistance has allowed quick movement from the assessment and design stage to implementation of measures to slow spread of infection. Results in Thailand over the past two years show a decline in incidence of new cases of sexually transmitted diseases, a significant achievement. Models to prevent HIV transmission through migrant populations such as truckers and fishermen are being tested. Advocacy workshops for journalists and political leaders are increasing awareness of the disease and leading to prevention efforts and policy commitments.

Description: ANE Regional HIV/AIDS experts support studies and innovative approaches based on the experience and lessons learned to date. Regional HIV/AIDS advice and financial support will strengthen the prevention efforts of both governments and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the key to slowing transmission. Surveillance systems will be strengthened and more efforts will be made to integrate HIV prevention activities into reproductive health programs within the region.

Host Country and Other Donors: ANE Regional HIV/AIDS works with National AIDS Committees in the various countries, and also with other donors and NGOs in planning a coordinated approach to combatting the disease.

Beneficiaries: The general population benefits through awareness messages, more targeted efforts benefit vulnerable and high-risk groups.

Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: Contractors providing ANE Regional HIV/AIDS experts include: the University of Michigan, the Johns Hopkins University, the Red Cross and the Academy for Education and Development.

Major Results Indicators:
Baseline Target
1993 1995 2001
Assessments in countries at risk 2 10 10
Prevention programs initiated 2 8 10
Advocacy/policy training workshops 0 12 30
Area of Affinity/cutting edge 0 12 25
interventions

Purpose: To support country and regional programs in the transition to reengineered systems; and to improve country and regional strategies and activities in the areas of economic growth, health and population, environment, and democracy and governance.

Background: Many of the services needed for the transition of programs and activities in the Asian and the Near East (ANE) region to results-oriented reengineered systems can be provided most efficiently on a regional basis. It is also cost effective to provide support for design of strategies, activities and performance monitoring systems.

USAID Role and Achievement to Date: Over the past year, regional advisers under the ANE Reengineering Development and Support (RD&S) program supported the development and review of 13 strategic plans and 16 action plans and monitoring plans. This helped assure that ANE country and regional programs serve USAID Agency Goals and are effectively monitored for results. RD&S advisers continue to sharpen performance monitoring and reporting tools. In early 1996, the advisers are strengthening the first annual review of reengineered performance reports on country and regional activities. This review will be the basis for performance-based budgeting of future years' resources.

Description: The RD&S Program consists of both sector-specific experts (health, HIV/AIDS, environment) and experts in cross-cutting support (performance monitoring, economic analysis, and women in development). These experts provide assistance directly to programs throughout the region to develop strategies, determine appropriate performance measures, identify appropriate data sources, and conduct evaluations. They also help in the review of strategic plans, monitoring plans, and performance reports and provide technical advice on both the merits of the program performance and how it can be improved over the next year. In addition, RD&S supports approaches to disengage from successful USAID programs in ways that enhance their sustainability.

Host Country and Other Donors: RD&S is not supported by other donors and host countries, but country activities supported by RD&S receive host country and other donor support.

Beneficiaries: The beneficiaries are those that benefit from the programs RD&S supports.

Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: RD&S experts are provided by contractors including: Management Systems International, DevTech, Academy for Education and Development, Daytex, Johns Hopkins University, Red Cross, and the University of Michigan.

Major Results Indicators Baseline Target

Monitoring Plans completed and effectively 0 16
measuring impact.

Improved annual performance reports from 0 16
country programs.

Advisory assistance to specific country programs. 0 50