6.1 United Nations organizations in the region
6.2 Other organizations in the region
6.3 Economic communities in the region
6.4 Regional and global aquaculture development projects
The eleven countries of this region are active in a number of regional organizations in which aquaculture has been recognized as a sector, either individually or as a component of a larger sector such as fisheries or agriculture, and which has received support in some form. The principal regional organizations are those of the United Nations (UN) in which all the countries actively participate (see Table 9).
Most of these same countries participate in the individual organizations of the UN system which are actively represented in the region. These include the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD, World Bank). All these organizations have substantial records of providing technical and capital assistance to aquaculture development world-wide, and some in the region.
Other UN organizations represented in the region and active in the development of aquaculture (but predominantly outside the region) are the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Some specialized agencies of the UN which also work in the field are the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). Not all these organizations or agencies have yet worked specifically in the region in aquaculture.
In cooperation with several Middle East countries, UNDP and other donors, mostly through FAO, have promoted aquaculture and inland capture fisheries in the region through many diverse activities (see Table 8). This cooperation has extended from the funding of a variety of national fisheries and aquaculture development projects to the development of strategies and regional programmes, and to the provision of international experts, study tours, training, and supplying equipment.
In 1984 the FAO World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development, held in Rome, adopted aquaculture development as one of five major Programmes of Action. These Programmes seek partnership with international and bilateral donors in assisting governments, primarily through regional mechanisms, to improve the productivity of their fisheries and aquaculture and the standard of living of those working in the sector.
Training of national personnel in aquaculture has been undertaken through the FAO Technical Cooperation Programme and Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries, and through UNDP fellowships; and Unesco has sponsored the training of marine scientists in PDRY as well as development of a database and library in Oman.
There are other related international agencies affiliated to the World Bank. These agencies support fisheries and aquaculture development in. a number of regions but none has active projects on aquaculture or with an aquaculture component at the present time. The World Bank itself (the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development) provides technical assistance and extension of credit to capital infrastructure projects in agriculture and fisheries. Projects in Iran, Iraq, Jordan, and Oman have received funding or technical assistance. The International Development Association (IDA) advances capital to the poorer developing member countries on more flexible terms than the World Bank; 32% of its total funding goes into agriculture, fisheries, and rural development projects. Projects in Jordan, YAR, and PDRY have received funding. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) encourages the growth of productive private enterprises, especially agriculture and agro-industry, in its member countries. One agriculture project in YAR has received funding.
There are two regional organizations to which all the countries, except Iran, are members. These are more actively involved with supporting fisheries and aquaculture projects in the region. These organizations are the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD) and the Islamic Development Bank (see 4.8).
There are two statutory bodies in which countries of the region participate (see Table 8) although mostly on the periphery. These organizations were established to promote full and proper utilization of living aquatic resources through the development and management of fishery and culture operations, as well as through the related processing and marketing activities. One is the Indian Ocean Fishery Commission (IOFC) and in particular its subsidiary body the Committee for Development and Management of the Fishery Resources of the Gulfs. Recently this organization has shown an increased interest in aquaculture following the first Arab Symposium on Culture of Fish and Shellfish held in Kuwait in 1983. During the meeting of the Committee in 1984 an FAO review on the status and prospects for aquaculture development in the Gulf States was presented and discussed.
The Indo-Pacific Fishery Commission (IPFC), the other statutory body, has restricted presence in the region. The IPFC has been most active in following and encouraging aquaculture in the Indo-Pacific region.
There are three regional economic organizations in the region (see Table 9). The main economic community is the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC). This Council is supported by the Governments of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE. The aim of the council is to promote coordination, integration, and cooperation between the member states. In 1985 the Ministers of Agriculture approved proposals for harmonizing legislation relating to water conservation and fisheries. The Council has also funded studies investigating quarantine procedures and the setting up of two regional veterinary laboratories.
The Council of Arab Economic Unity is supported by the Governments of Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, UAE, YAR, and PDRY. This Council promotes the coordination between Near East countries of development plans of individual Arabic countries. It encourages the setting up of joint ventures and has supported the formation of the Arab Federation of Fish Producers in Baghdad, Iraq.
The third organization is the League of Arab States which is supported by all the countries in the region except Iran. It has set up the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, based in Khartoum, which promotes training studies in agriculture.
No regional aquaculture projects are listed in the ADCP Aquaculture Aid Profiles (1988). Only one fisheries project in the region includes components of aquaculture and that is the UNDP/FAO project for marketing and trade in fisheries products, namely INFOSAMAK. There are 21 Arab member countries in the project of which 13 are active members, and 6 are in the region as described. These are: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, PDRY, and YAR. This project was initiated in 1986 and continues.
The UNDP created the Aquaculture Development and Coordination Programme (ADCP) in support of global initiatives in aquaculture. Its activities have extended into Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Mediterranean regions. Advisory and guideline publications deal with both administration of the sector, such as technical assistance, economic development, planning, engineering and marketing, and in technology.
As part of this Programme, and with further support at regional and global level, the ADCP has prepared the regional Sector Surveys on Aquaculture and is preparing an integrated approach to PLANNING FOR AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT.
