Red Sea-Dead Sea Water Conveyance Study Program

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Project ID
Project Title	Red Sea-Dead Sea Water Conveyance Study Program
Type	Research (feasibility study)
Focus Areas	environmental degredation, water and energy
Geographic Scope	Jordan-Dead Sea,Red Sea, Middle East, Arab States, Northern Africa
Lead Organization(s)	World Bank
Project Partners	The three Beneficiary Parties (Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority) are owners and leaders of the Study Program. In addition, stakeholder groups and civil society representatives will participate in the Study Program through a formal and comprehensive stakeholder consultation and communication process.
Financing	Funding: Multi-donor trust fund (France, Greece, Japan, the Netherlands, and USA) Cost: The total cost of the Study Program - including the Feasibility Study, the Environment and Social Assessment Study, study management, the Panel of Experts, stakeholder consultation meetings, and the World Bank Trust Fund audits and related expenses - is estimated at US$14.0 million. The cost reflects the complex environmental, social, economic, and technical issues and concerns to be addressed. It also reflects the cost of extensive public discussion and stakeholder involvement required of complex studies.
Timeframe	The full duration of the Study Program is anticipated to be 24 months. The major studies started in May 2008 and will be finalized in June 2010.
Status
Project website(s)	http://go.worldbank.org/9BEGALRN40
Contacts

1 Description
2 Expected Outcomes
3 Achievements: Results and Impact
4 Lessons for Replication
5 References
6 See also
7 External Resources
8 Attachments

Description

Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority agreed to study the feasibility of transferring water from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea as a solution to stop the rapidly declining level of the Dead Sea. The parties share a vision that involves conveying water from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea to reverse environmental degradation and generate water and energy at affordable prices for the region. This vision represents a symbol of peace and cooperation in the Middle East. The Terms of Reference prepared by the beneficiary parties stipulates a comprehensive investigation of the environmental, economic, social and technical implications of this water conveyance concept.

The Study Program will be carried out through two independent consultancy contracts, one for the Feasibility Study and another for the Environmental and Social Assessment Study. These two major studies were awarded in April 2008, following World Bank procurement policies and procedures. The studies, which are conducted in parallel, will take about 24 months to complete and should be finished in June 2010. Final reports from the studies will be made public.

Expected Outcomes

Investigate the feasibility of reversing the environmental degradation of the Dead Sea Region by transferring water from the Red Sea

Investigate the technical, economic, financial, environmental, social and institutional issues

Examine the alternatives to the proposed action, including taking no action

Evaluate whether the overall benefits exceed the costs to determine the feasibility of the concept

If feasible, what are the technical, economic, environmental and social costs?

Undertake the study in a way that reflects and respects the unique context of the region

The outcome of the Feasibility Study and the Environmental and Social Assessment will serve as a tool for governments and stakeholders to determine whether the construction of a Red Sea‑Dead Sea Water Conveyance is feasible, taking into account all relevant aspects including the technical, economic, financial, environmental, and social factors. This process will also provide opportunity for dialogue between regional stakeholders including governmental and non-governmental organizations, and the Beneficiary Parties on the findings of the Study Program findings and to exchange inputs, views and suggestions.