246
15.3.2.4 Intensifying Regional Diplomacy to Manage Shared Resources
Jordan’s water policy for decades has refl ected asymmetry of power with its
neighbours and its downstream riparian status. Lacking leverage to enforce its rights
over shared surface waters, it has preferred unilateral options to secure new supply.
However, in view of the scale of the water crisis, Jordan has strong interest in reaping the benefi ts of regional cooperation, for it will be a pre-requisite for the success
of its mix of short-, medium- and long-term water solutions. A multi-pronged
approach is required to facilitate regional and transboundary cooperation in order to
mitigate dangers to shared waters and to develop new resources. Albeit less powerful than its neighbours, Jordan may not be maximising what leverage it has. Smart
diplomacy could lead to benefi cial trade-offs over water, food and energy. Besides,
insuffi cient attention to bilateral differences might permit these to fuel broader
tensions.
Since it is in the region that medium- and long-term water security will be found,
now is the time for Jordan to raise the profi le of water in diplomacy and harness
support for indispensable regional efforts to manage resources sustainably – within
and inter-basin. Identifi ed below are four areas for cooperation which would serve
the interests of Jordan and its neighbours. Requiring national and regional action,
they cover demand and supply aspects and could be effective in the short to long
term. All are in the public domain and given the right political dynamics would be
feasible.
Laying Foundations for a Regional Water Authority
The promotion of the idea of a Council for Water Resources in the Middle East
made up of heads of government represents a start (SFG 2011 , p. 20). The Council’s
purpose would be to support fi ve countries – Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey and
Syria – to prepare for decisions around water through reaching consensus on principles of cooperation, developing guidelines for standardising measurements, interpreting and exchanging data, on measures to combat climate change and setting
targets for sustainable water management. In pursuit of these goals, the new High
Level Group chaired by HRH Prince Hassan bin Talal
23 provides a platform for
fresh thinking on interdependencies; and it can drive regional interactions until
leaders agree to raise these to institutional level – in the form of a Regional Water
Authority. Such collaboration would likely generate momentum behind the strategies discussed next, which if successful, would positively infl uence Jordan’s water
outcomes.
23 The group comprises a former Turkish foreign minister and Lebanese fi nance minister and will
in due course include Iraqi and Syrian representatives.
V. Yorke
15.3.2.4 Intensifying Regional Diplomacy to Manage Shared Resources
Jordan’s water policy for decades has refl ected asymmetry of power with its
neighbours and its downstream riparian status. Lacking leverage to enforce its rights
over shared surface waters, it has preferred unilateral options to secure new supply.
However, in view of the scale of the water crisis, Jordan has strong interest in reaping the benefi ts of regional cooperation, for it will be a pre-requisite for the success
of its mix of short-, medium- and long-term water solutions. A multi-pronged
approach is required to facilitate regional and transboundary cooperation in order to
mitigate dangers to shared waters and to develop new resources. Albeit less powerful than its neighbours, Jordan may not be maximising what leverage it has. Smart
diplomacy could lead to benefi cial trade-offs over water, food and energy. Besides,
insuffi cient attention to bilateral differences might permit these to fuel broader
tensions.
Since it is in the region that medium- and long-term water security will be found,
now is the time for Jordan to raise the profi le of water in diplomacy and harness
support for indispensable regional efforts to manage resources sustainably – within
and inter-basin. Identifi ed below are four areas for cooperation which would serve
the interests of Jordan and its neighbours. Requiring national and regional action,
they cover demand and supply aspects and could be effective in the short to long
term. All are in the public domain and given the right political dynamics would be
feasible.
Laying Foundations for a Regional Water Authority
The promotion of the idea of a Council for Water Resources in the Middle East
made up of heads of government represents a start (SFG 2011 , p. 20). The Council’s
purpose would be to support fi ve countries – Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey and
Syria – to prepare for decisions around water through reaching consensus on principles of cooperation, developing guidelines for standardising measurements, interpreting and exchanging data, on measures to combat climate change and setting
targets for sustainable water management. In pursuit of these goals, the new High
Level Group chaired by HRH Prince Hassan bin Talal
23 provides a platform for
fresh thinking on interdependencies; and it can drive regional interactions until
leaders agree to raise these to institutional level – in the form of a Regional Water
Authority. Such collaboration would likely generate momentum behind the strategies discussed next, which if successful, would positively infl uence Jordan’s water
outcomes.
23 The group comprises a former Turkish foreign minister and Lebanese fi nance minister and will
in due course include Iraqi and Syrian representatives.
V. Yorke