The Planning Minister discusses enhancing partnership and supporting the national development and stability plan with the UK State Minister.

Yemeni Minister of Planning Discusses Bilateral Cooperation with UK Counterpart

In London, Dr. Afrah Al-Zouba, Yemen’s Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, met with Baroness Jenny Chapman, the UK Minister of State for Development. Their discussions focused on enhancing the existing partnership between Yemen and the United Kingdom.

Key Topics Addressed

The meeting occurred on the sidelines of the upcoming Global Partnerships Conference, scheduled for May 19-20. The two officials explored several critical areas, including the need to redirect support towards developmental aspects and institutional resilience. They emphasized strengthening national institutions to effectively implement government programs and plans.

National Development Plan

Both parties, joined by Yemen’s Ambassador to the UK, Dr. Yassin Saeed Noman, and Kelly Hall, Director for Yemen, Syria, and Iraq at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, highlighted the importance of creating a comprehensive national plan. This plan should be based on national ownership and developed collaboratively from the grassroots level. Such an approach aims to enhance the effectiveness of developmental interventions and align them with the priorities and needs of the Yemeni community.

Continued British Support

Dr. Al-Zouba praised the UK’s ongoing support for Yemen, describing it as strategic. She acknowledged the UK’s significant role in supporting Yemen’s development and stability, recalling its historical contributions to donor conferences focused on Yemen.

Government Focus on Institutional Capacity

Dr. Al-Zouba reiterated the directives from President Rashad Mohammed Alimi and Prime Minister Shaif Al-Zandani, which prioritize enhancing the efficiency of government institutions. She explained that the Yemeni government is preparing plans to shift focus from emergency responses to sustainable development and resilience-building.

Institutional Assessment and Capacity Building

The Minister reviewed the institutional assessment of her ministry, conducted with British support, and discussed ongoing efforts to strengthen the ministry’s capabilities based on the assessment’s findings. She stressed the importance of continued support aimed at enhancing national institutions and their efficiency.

UK Commitment to Yemen

Baroness Chapman reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Yemen, commending the presence of Yemeni women in leadership roles. She emphasized the necessity of a clear national plan and expressed the UK’s readiness to assist in coordinating its development while continuing to highlight Yemen’s issues in international forums.

Coordination with International Partners

The meeting underscored the UK’s role in coordinating with international institutions and partners to support the Yemeni government’s efforts. The officials acknowledged the importance of ongoing developmental support for Yemen, given its regional and international significance, and the need to align donor efforts with developmental needs to address the decline in international funding.

Technical Meeting on Bilateral Cooperation

In a related context, Dr. Al-Zouba held a technical meeting at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office with Kelly Hall. They discussed bilateral cooperation and the UK’s role in coordinating with international partners to support stability and development in Yemen, aligning with the government’s current priorities.

This collaboration marks a significant step towards fostering a sustainable future for Yemen, emphasizing the importance of international partnerships in achieving developmental goals.

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