In response to the increasing pressures and environmental challenges in the Gulf Basin, the World Bank has launched the Gulf Environmental Partnership and Action Program (GEPAP), which is a regional initiative. The development objective of the GEPAP is to preserve, protect and promote long-term sustainable development for the Gulf region and its waterway. The GEPAP has two main components: national (first phase) and regional (second phase). The second phase of GEPAP is regional in scope (From Sea to Land) and follows the national activities phase in a complementary approach.