The Advancing the Blue Revolution Initiative (ABRI) will address some of the most challenging water issues in the Middle East and Africa: the lack of access by the poor to improved water and sanitation services, inefficient and nonproductive water use, and transboundary river basin conflicts. The Initiative will work closely with governments in the Middle East and Africa, actively pursue co-investments from the private sector, reach out to like-minded foundations, and partner with regional institutions. ABRI’s focus is on fostering transboundary cooperation and international knowledge sharing through networks, training, exchanges, and joint implementation. ABRI will capture best practices and disseminate them as practical tools and systems to an audience that increasingly recognizes the need to resolve often crippling water issues. Its goal is the transformation of the culture and governance of water in the two regions.

OBJECTIVES

• Promote transboundary water cooperation to improve water security. ABRI will build confidence and foster cooperation among states sharing water. It will initially work with regional organizations and governments to improve cooperation on the management of the Tigris-Euphrates and Nile rivers and jumpstart jointly designed technical activities.
• Improve water resources management. ABRI will strengthen regional institutions and initiatives to improve water resources management and sector governance. Initial areas of work include water valuation, groundwater management, and information and communication technology.
• Improve access to clean water and sanitation. ABRI will seek greatest reach and impact by working with regional water utility associations, selected water utilities, municipal and national governments, and private sector partners. It will test and share successful approaches for expanding access to clean water and improved sanitation services, improving utility cost recovery and operations, and delivering services to poor neighborhoods and villages.

ABRI will establish a Future Water Leaders Program to build the capacity of the next generation of leaders in the sector. ABRI will also develop a communications and advocacy strategy to build support among a wide range of stakeholders and donors for transforming the way water resources are managed in the Middle East and Africa.