The Gulf Ministerial Council reaffirms its full support for the Presidential Leadership Council led by Dr. Rashad Mohammed Alimi.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministerial Council has expressed unwavering support for the Presidential Leadership Council, led by Dr. Rashad Mohammed Alimi, in its efforts to achieve security and stability in Yemen. The council emphasized the importance of reaching a comprehensive political solution in accordance with the Gulf Initiative, its executive mechanism, the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference, and UN Security Council Resolution 2216. These efforts aim to preserve Yemen’s sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, and independence.

Continued Efforts for Political Resolution

The Ministerial Council welcomed the ongoing sincere efforts by Saudi Arabia and Oman, as well as their communications with all Yemeni parties, to revive the political process. The council highlighted the necessity for the Houthis to engage positively with international and UN efforts aimed at resolving the Yemeni crisis. It called for serious consideration of peace initiatives to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people.

Support for UN Initiatives

In its final statement from the 163rd session held in Mecca, the Ministerial Council reiterated its support for the United Nations and its Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, in achieving a comprehensive political solution based on the three reference points. The council praised the Yemeni government’s commitment to renewing the humanitarian truce announced by the UN.

Call for Full Compliance

The Ministerial Council urged all Yemeni parties to fully implement the measures announced by the UN envoy on December 23, 2023. These measures include a comprehensive ceasefire across Yemen, steps to improve living conditions, and preparations to resume an inclusive political process under UN auspices.

Concerns Over Regional Stability

The council expressed deep concern regarding the ongoing developments in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. It stressed the importance of de-escalation to maintain regional security and stability, while respecting maritime navigation rights in accordance with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982. The council condemned foreign interventions in Yemen’s internal affairs and the smuggling of military experts and weapons to Houthi militias, in clear violation of Security Council Resolutions 2216, 2231, and 2624.

Advocacy for Humanitarian Release

The Ministerial Council commended Oman for facilitating the release of the crew members of the ship “Galaxy.” It called on the Houthi group to immediately release all detainees, including UN staff, employees of the US Embassy, and personnel from international organizations and other diplomatic missions, as this constitutes a violation of international law and diplomatic norms.

Development Needs Assessment

The council welcomed the outcomes of the 22nd meeting of the Joint Technical Committee, which assessed the developmental needs of Yemen. This meeting included participation from GCC member states, Yemen, national and regional development funds, the Saudi Program for Development and Reconstruction in Yemen, the Islamic Development Bank, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, the OPEC Fund for International Development, and the United Nations Development Programme. The aim is to enable Yemen to complete priority developmental projects and provide essential services to its citizens.

Economic Support from Saudi Arabia

The Ministerial Council praised Saudi Arabia’s new economic support for Yemen, amounting to $500 million. This package includes a $300 million deposit in the Central Bank of Yemen to improve the economic and financial situation, along with $200 million to address Yemen’s budget deficit. This support is part of a total of $1.2 billion through the Saudi Program for Development and Reconstruction in Yemen, aimed at enhancing food security, supporting salaries and operational expenses, and assisting the government in implementing economic reforms. These efforts seek to establish economic, financial, and monetary stability in Yemen, strengthen public finances, build government institutions’ capacities, and empower the private sector to drive sustainable economic growth and create job opportunities.

Kuwait’s Financial Agreement

The Ministerial Council welcomed the bilateral financial arrangement signed between the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development and Yemen. This agreement aims to resume Kuwait’s funding for development programs in Yemen, alleviate the debt burden, and contribute to financing infrastructure projects in agriculture, irrigation, transportation, communications, energy, industry, water, sanitation, health, and education. This support will help the Yemeni government address the economic and financial burdens exacerbated by Houthi attacks on oil facilities and international shipping routes.

Humanitarian Efforts Acknowledged

The Ministerial Council commended the achievements of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center and the humanitarian support provided by the GCC’s Relief Coordination Office to Yemen. It acknowledged the various humanitarian and developmental assistance initiatives from GCC member states. The council noted the 263 developmental projects and initiatives executed by the Saudi Program for Development and Reconstruction in Yemen across seven key sectors: education, health, water, energy, transportation, agriculture, and fisheries, along with financial support for the Yemeni government’s budget and operational expenses.

Mine Clearance Initiatives

The council praised the efforts of the Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance (Masam), which has successfully removed 480,526 landmines, unexploded ordnance, and improvised explosive devices. The project has cleared 64,691,637 square meters of land in Yemen, which had been indiscriminately mined by Houthi militias, resulting in tragic casualties among innocent civilians, including children, women, and the elderly.

 

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