Background and Management of The Project

Reconnaissance and planning works which had been started first in the 60s to harness the irregular flow of the Euphrates and Tigris for irrigation and energy production purposes were then, in the second half of the 70s, were altogether referred to as "Southeastern Anatolia Project."

Starting as an energy and irrigation project to develop the rich land and water resources of the region, the GAP was transformed into an integrated regional development project with the completion of the GAP Master Plan in 1989. The Master Plan is a guide for plans, programs and projects to be designed in conformity with the overall line and sub-scales that the development of the region will follow. The basic development scenario envisaged by the Master Plan is to turn region into an agro-based industrial center.

Today, GAP is a regional development project carried out within the framework of sustainable human development. In this sense, it targets to create opportunities for the people of the region to enable them to materialize their economic potential and preferences fully.

The mandate of carrying out the project along the lines of integrated regional development and ensuring required coordination was given to the GAP Regional Development Organization as an entity established in 1989 under the Prime Ministry. The decision making body is the GAP Higher Council presided by the Prime Minister and consisting of the State Minister in Charge of GAP, State Minister in Charge of State Planning Organization and Minister of Public Works and Settlement. The GAP Administration has its Central Office and a Regional Directorate in Sanliurfa.