Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI)

The Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) is a program of the U.S. government, working with countries that have:

signed Free Trade Agreements with the U.S. (Morocco, Bahrain and Oman) or
are involved in Trade & Investment Framework Agreements with the U.S. (Algeria, Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, UAE and Yemen).

EPA's continuing work under MEPI includes:

Waste Management and Pollution Prevention
EPA recently provided two regional trainings for the Middle East on the Principles of Hazardous Waste Management. This three day course, including class interaction and case studies, discusses the “cradle to grave” management of hazardous wastes. As part of the course, participants also provided a short report on what hazardous waste regulations, programs, or activities are currently ongoing in their countries. The courses were delivered in two different languages: one in Morocco for French-speaking countries, and one in Qatar for Arabic-speaking countries. [Read an article on the Hazardous Waste Workshop in Doha, Qatar]

The National Pollution Prevention Roundtable (NPPR) , a U.S.-based NGO, will hold a workshop in Bahrain to review pollution prevention concepts, and establish a regional network on Pollution Prevention and Cleaner Production. This project is jointly implemented by EPA staff and NPPR.

Good Governance and Capacity Building in Morocco
EPA will deliver a Solid Waste Management Planning Course for local governments in Morocco, working with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), a U.S. non-governmental organization (NGO). The course will help cities develop integrated solid waste management plans to meet national Morrocan standards. The training is targeted toward cities required to develop solid waste management plans as part of a World Bank loan program. Also in Morocco, EPA will also deliver a reviewer training to the Ministry of the Environment on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Coastal Management Protection
Working with the public and affected communities, EPA is currently assisting Oman in developing a Coastal Management Plan for the Daymaniyat Islands Nature Preserve (DINR). The Coastal Management Plan will address land- and marine-based sources of pollution to protect sensitive coastal resources, in collaboration with the Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment, and Water Resources of Oman. The action plan will also include environmental education and outreach strategies to address the concerns of local stakeholders, including businesses, tourists, the local public, fishermen, and national and local government officials. This outreach program will address the sustainable use of Oman’s marine resources. Following its development, the Plan will serve as a model for other locations in Oman.

Public Participation
Decision-makers need to understand the importance of public participation in achieving environmental goals. EPA is developing a Public Participation Toolkit to help decision-makers in the Middle East identify the most effective tools and approaches, depending on the environmental decisions on hand. The toolkit will be transferred to the region through a regional workshop, where participants will appropriately apply the tools and techniques using case studies.

Clean Fuels and Vehicles
As part of the global Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles , launched by EPA and other stakeholders at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in 2002, EPA works with the MEPI countries and UNEP to promote cleaner vehicles and fuels in the region, based on recommendations from the Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Bahrain in March, 2008. A follow-up regional workshop will develop action plans for the region, focused on cleaner vehicle technologies, requiring catalytic converters on cars, looking into more fuel efficient vehicles, etc. This workshop will draw in other partners in the Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles, including the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), the UNEP, the Asia Clean Fuels Association, the automobile manufacturers, and regional environmental organizations.

Links:

More information on Free Trade Agreements and Trade & Investment Framework Agreements

Morocco - Ministry of Country Planning, Water Resources and Environment (French/Arabic)
http://www.minenv.gov.ma/

Bahrain - Ministry of Electricity and Water
http://www.mew.gov.bh/

Oman – Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources
http://www.mrmwr.gov.om/main.asp

Algeria – Ministry of Energy and Mining
http://www.mem-algeria.org/english/index.php

Egypt – Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation
http://www.mwri.gov.eg/
Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs
http://www.eeaa.gov.eg/
Ministry of Electricity and Energy
http://www.moee.gov.eg/

Kuwait – Ministry of Energy and Water (under construction in English)
http://www.energy.gov.kw/default.aspx?pageId=289

Qatar –Ministry of the Environment (Arabic)
http://www.qatar-webs.com/en/qatar_ministries/181/preview_the_ministry_of_the_environment.html

Tunisia – Ministry of Environment and Regional Planning
http://www.onas.nat.tn/en/index.php

UAE – Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW)
http://www.moew.gov.ae/En/pages/default.aspx

Back to: EPA's Programs in the Middle East

Contacts

For additional information on EPA's work in the Middle East, contact:

Shereen Kandil
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of International Affairs (2670R)
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460
E-mail: kandil.shereen@epa.gov
(202) 564-6433

Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI)

Local Navigation