Cross-Regional Programs

Cross-Regional Program

In addition to the projects managed in specific regions, DOI-ITAP also manages projects that cross continents, bringing representatives from a variety of countries to a single location, either within or outside the U.S., to build capacity and share lessons learned.

Currently, DOI-ITAP manages three such programs. The newest is related to water management through the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES) in response to the growing global water crisis. Two additional cross-regional programs are related to conventional and unconventional energy through the State Department’s Bureau of Energy and Natural Resources (ENR).

DOI-ITAP current cross-regional efforts through energy and water management efforts benefits the following countries:

Albania	El Salvador	South Africa
Argentina	Peru	Ukraine
Columbia	Romania	Vietnam

DOI-ITAP past cross-regional efforts have benefited the following countries:

Bangladesh	Guyana	Lithuania	Papua New Guinea
Botswana	India	Mexico	Poland
Brazil	Indonesia	Mongolia	Seychelles
Chili	Jordan	Mynamar	Sierra Leone
China	Liberia	Namibia	Uganda

DOI-ITAP / CROSS-REGIONAL PROJECTS

Ambassador’s Water Experts Program (AWEP)

DOI-ITAP engages and works with host country governments to strengthen water management and technical capacities through the Ambassador’s Water Experts Program. This program is closely coordinated with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES) in support of the U.S. Government’s Global Water Strategy priorities.

Through AWEP, DOI-ITAP provides capacity building in the following areas:

Hydrology
Hydropower
Water resource dispute management
Irrigation
Water sanitization
Water quality management
Flood prevention
Water reclamation

o Primary Partner: State/OES
o Contact: Elizabeth Goffi

Energy Governance and Capacity Initiative (EGCI)

Through this program, DOI engages host country governments that are on the verge of becoming the world's next generation of oil and gas producers. EGCI's core objective is to help these countries establish the capacity to manage their oil and gas sector resources responsibly and transparently for the benefit of national economic development, while minimizing social and environmental impacts.

Through EGCI, DOI-ITAP provides capacity building in these four areas:

Technical: understanding the resource through the most appropriate technologies,
Financial: responsible management of revenues from the sector,
Legal: incorporating international best practices into laws and regulations,
Environmental: protecting people and the environment from sector impacts.

Unconventional Gas Technical Engagement Program (UGTEP)

DOI-ITAP coordinates DOI participation in UGTEP, a Department of State-led effort launched to assist countries seeking to safely and economically develop their unconventional natural gas resources. Shale gas is one of the most rapidly expanding energy resources in the U.S., a world leader in the development and use of its production technology. The ultimate goals of UGTEP are to assist other countries in achieving greater energy security, meet environmental objectives and further U.S. economic and commercial interests.

Countries have been selected to participate in UGTEP based in part on the known presence of natural gas-bearing shale within their borders, market potential, business climates, geopolitical synergies and host government interest. Activities are tailored to each country's specific needs and US foreign policy priority.

Through UGTEP, DOI-ITAP provides capacity building in these two priority areas:

Technical: shale gas resource assessments; technical guidance to evaluate the production capability,
Financial: economics and investment potential of shale gas resources; as well as the challenges related to shale gas development.

Cross-Regional Programs