Israel and the World Bank signed their second agreement last week that will focus on sharing water expertise and industry best practices with developing countries. The Israeli Ministry of Economy committed $500,000 to the World Bank Group’s Water Global Practice as part of the deal.
“We are proud to join the prestigious group of countries that contribute to the Bank. It is not that far back that Israel was a borrowing country from the Bank,” said the Minister of Economy Aryeh Deri. “Israel has suffered from a chronic water shortage for years. The need for water led Israel to create innovative and advance policies and solutions that have placed us as a water world leader. We wish to share our experience with the developing world. We see this agreement as a first step that will allow us to launch our partnership with the WB and later to build on it and broaden it.”
The new collaboration will include study tours that will help Israelis transfer global knowledge on water security issues.
“Israel has had to manage water services while operating under extreme scarcity conditions, and has done so very impressively,” said Jennifer Sara, Director for Water at the World Bank. “Its innovative practices are globally recognized – both from technological and institutional perspectives –and will undoubtedly carry lessons for many of the World Bank Group’s clients facing water security challenges.”
“This is our second agreement with the World Bank. It’s an important step toward enhancing our cooperation with the World Bank. This step strengthens our efforts to support Israeli activities in the developing world and to focus on the water sector led by the national program – Israel NewTech. We hope to create more exposure to Israeli best practices, and we thank the Bank for its partnership,” said Amit Lang, Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Economy.