Euphrates-Tigris region hosts human and natural resources within the political boundaries of Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey.

The Euphrates-Tigris region is important in world affairs due to the diversity of its political, strategic, socio-economic, and hydrologic features. While the political issues in the region are perceived as complex in the global public eye, those related to regional socio-economic development are more complicated but less evident.

Hence, academics from Iraq, Syria, Turkey and the United States held meetings and workshops in the years 2003, 2004 and 2005 to work out a new approach for sustainable cooperation on regional development. These activities culminated in founding an initiative in May 2005 known as the Euphrates Tigris Initiative for Cooperation (ETIC).

ETIC was formally established by academics from Iraq, Syria, and Turkey and the USA at Kent State University on May 20, 2005 to address common social, economic and technical development needs of the people in the Euphrates-Tigris region

ETIC FoundersMukdad Ali (Iraq)Mohammed Al-Najim (Iraq)Lina Sergie Atassi (Syria)Faisal Rifai (Syria) Aysegul Kibaroglu (Turkey)Olcay Unver (Turkey)Kenneth Cushner (USA)Linda Robertson (USA)Edwin Corr (USA)

It is the only cooperation initiative for the Euphrates-Tigris region for the benefit of the riparian countries.

It is a track-two effort whose aim is to facilitate dialogue and mutual understandingamong the riparian stakeholders and decision-makers.

It uses a development focus and avoids contentious themes.

It is a neutral and facilitating platform.

The quality of life for people in all communities, including rural and urban areas, is improved, and harmony among the countries and nature in the Euphrates and Tigris Region is achieved.

To mobilize collective expertise, catalyze processes and develop appropriate partnerships to encourage riparian cooperation and development through track 2 non-official diplomacy

VisionThe quality of life for people in all communities, including rural and urban areas is improved and harmony among the countries and nature in the Euphrates and Tigris Region is achieved

Overall GoalCooperation for economic, technical and social sustainable development within the Euphrates-Tigris region is realized

Objectives (2015)-To promote confidence building and trust among riparian officials-To identify riparian development needs and concerns-To implement joint training and capacity building programs for key riparian stakeholders-To develop, promote and support implementation of collaborative activities

Advisory Board 5-7 individuals and institutions

Steering Committee4-6 riparian members

Coordination Sec. host observerExecutive director observer

Iraq project activities Implemented by relevant actor(s)

Turkey project activities

Imlemented by relevant actor(s)

Syria project activities

Implemented by relevant actor(s)

Other regional/global project activities•Implemented byrelevant actor(s)

Future Co-ordinating Secretariat1. Track 2 Platform

2. Management of ETIC program

Iranproject activities

Implemented by relevant actor(s)

ETIC Organizational Chart

Publish atlas for the Euphrates Tigris region Publish reference book on the Euphrates Tigris region Improve water management in Tigris–Tharthar–Euphrates system Study of main outfall water use for restoring marshlands Implement joint projects by riparian municipalities on water

reuse Raising awareness on water saving practices Organize training course on regional development Implement integrated development Project in three riparian villages Provide trainers, specialists and experts for capacity building

programs Participation in international meetings

ETIC Stakeholder Workshop, World Water Congress, Nov. 2005, New Delhi

Dam Safety Training Course for Water Managers, Feb. 2006, Istanbul

ETIC Stakeholder Meeting, 4th World Water Forum, March 2006, Mexico City

Stakeholder Meeting, World Water Week, Middle East Seminar, August 2006, Stockholm;

Modeling training workshop, Sandia National Labs, Nov. 2006, Amman;

CSD-15 Partnership Fair, United Nations, May 2007, New York;

Participation in the Joint Seminar w/ Nile Basin Initiative, FAO, Gov. of Italy, July 2007, Como;

Project Development, Workshops on ET Region, University of Tokyo, March 2005, March 2006 and Nov. 2006, Tokyo.

The work of ETIC has been supported by

Kent State University University of

Oklahoma, UNESCO, Bahcesehir

University, SIWI, FAO,

Italian Government, Japan Water Forum, US State

Department, ABRI/USAID, University of New

Mexico

The overall goal of the project is to strengthen the organizational structure, role and influence of ETIC to operate productively at regional level.

The goal of the workshop isto explore the conditions in the ET region related to water and the environment and the use of GIS, mathematical modeling and website technology with a view to identify a framework forimprovement.

The objective of the activity is to foster collaboration and build confidence among practitioners from the riparian countries in the Tigris Euphrates region by working collaboratively.

The work teams from Iraq, Syria and Turkey use publicly available data from all sources for developing an inventory, which identify the kinds of data available and compile them, cataloging them and cross-referencing.

The five tasks of the activity are: ◦ Advancement and Outreach, ◦ Data Inventory, ◦ Data Harmonization, ◦ Capacity Building and ◦ Clearinghouse.

Is a Track 2 Academic Neutral Non-imposing Riparian initiative

Which aims to Increase dialogue and

mutual understanding through sustainable socioeconomic development.