The Planning Minister discusses enhancing development cooperation and addressing debt issues with the French ambassador.

Minister of Planning Discusses Development Cooperation with French Ambassador

Today, Dr. Afrah Al-Zuba, Yemen’s Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, engaged in a virtual meeting with Catherine Colombe Camon, the French Ambassador to Yemen. The discussion focused on enhancing developmental cooperation between Yemen and France.

Key Topics of Discussion

The meeting covered several critical areas, including:

• Institutional Reform: The need for reform within the Ministry of Planning.
• International Cooperation: Strategies to improve the framework for international collaboration.
• Support for Key Sectors: Emphasizing the importance of bolstering education, health, and food security sectors.
• Capacity Building: Strengthening public administration capabilities.
• National Institutions: Enhancing the role of national institutions in executing development projects.
• Customs and Tax Systems: Supporting customs and tax systems to improve government revenue.
• Debt Management: Addressing outstanding debts and exploring collaboration with the Paris Club to restore relations with international financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Government Priorities

During the meeting, Dr. Al-Zuba briefed the French side on the new government’s priorities under Prime Minister Dr. Shaif Mohsen Al-Zindani. She highlighted the government’s focus on economic reform, revenue mobilization, and the enhancement of essential services. Additionally, she stressed the importance of institutional development.

France’s Commitment to Yemen

Ambassador Camon reaffirmed France’s commitment to resuming consultations with the IMF regarding Yemen. She noted that addressing this issue would open broader avenues for French developmental financing. Furthermore, she reiterated France’s ongoing support for Yemen through bilateral projects in food security, health, nutrition, culture, and heritage, as well as its role in international financial institutions and climate financing initiatives.

This meeting marks a significant step towards strengthening Yemen’s international partnerships and addressing pressing developmental challenges.

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