Regional environmental activities

Project incorporates the Private Sector Initiatives in Industrial Pollution Control (2980174 - see abstract) and adds a new component aimed at enhancing public awareness of the need for environmental protection and NRM and developing governmental capability to undertake a comprehensive program in this area. Kinds of activities to be undertaken in the new component include: (1) support for the development of country environment and natural resource profiles or inventories; (2) study tours to the United States, other Near East countries, or elsewhere to demonstrate current resource planning and administration practices; (3) assistance in developing legal and regulatory mechanisms for protection of the environment and rational use of natural resources; (4) national and regional training workshops, seminars, and conferences on environmental problems; (5) development of and support for local initiatives in environmental education and public awareness; (6) research on topics of national or regional concern; and (7) evaluation of existing environmental programs. Except for regional training activities (which will be held in a central participating country) and for study tours, project activities will take place in the country where the request for assistance originates. Sites will usually be large cities, where the institutions the project intends to help are located. The Near East Bureau"s Environmental Coordinator will manage the project in coordination with USAID"s; the World Environment Center will continue to implement industrial pollution control activities initiated under Project 2980174.