The Minister of Planning and International Cooperation discusses ways to support development projects with a European delegation.

In a significant meeting held today in Aden, Dr. Waed Badhieb, the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, engaged with a European delegation led by Joost Mulman, Head of Cooperation at the EU mission. The delegation included representatives from Germany, France, Norway, and the Netherlands, as well as Dunia Abu Ghida, the Country Director for the World Bank Group in Yemen. The discussions focused on enhancing support for development projects in Yemen through collaboration with donor partners.

Economic Challenges and Recovery Efforts

During the meeting, Minister Badhieb presented an overview of Yemen’s current economic landscape. He highlighted the country’s ongoing financial difficulties, which stem from limited humanitarian and developmental funding. The minister emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing these challenges through an economic rescue plan and other strategic measures. He stressed that the upcoming recovery phase necessitates substantial assistance from donor partners to support recovery initiatives, capacity building, and the implementation of development projects, alongside efforts for economic and institutional reform.

Commitment to Collaboration

Minister Badhieb reaffirmed the ministry’s dedication to facilitating the necessary support for the execution of programs and activities by all international organizations. He called for enhanced coordination mechanisms between the government and donors to address shared concerns effectively. The minister also underscored the importance of aligning donor requirements with local laws and mobilizing external resources. He expressed a strong desire to maintain current funding levels from the International Finance Corporation, as any reduction could adversely affect the livelihoods of citizens.

European Delegation’s Support for Development

In response, members of the European delegation emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts with the Yemeni government in development work. They advocated for fostering dialogue among all relevant stakeholders to identify priorities and needs, ultimately aiming for a stable and favorable situation for Yemen.

The meeting underscored the urgent need for international cooperation to support Yemen’s development projects. Both the Yemeni government and the European delegation expressed optimism about working together to overcome the challenges facing the country and to promote sustainable development initiatives.

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