The Prime Minister concludes a successful and fruitful visit to the United States.

Dr. Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, the Prime Minister of Yemen, has wrapped up a fruitful visit to New York and Washington, D.C. He led a government delegation to the International Ministerial Meeting aimed at supporting the Yemeni government politically and economically, held in New York on the 20th of this month.

Key Meetings and Discussions

During his visit, Prime Minister bin Mubarak engaged in significant discussions with high-ranking officials from the United Nations. He also met with representatives from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Washington. Additionally, he held a meeting with the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The Prime Minister described his trip to the United States as “very important,” highlighting both the international ministerial meeting in New York and the discussions in Washington. This visit was part of the Yemeni government’s early preparations in coordination with the United Kingdom. The primary goal was to present the government’s plan and vision for improving conditions in Yemen, transitioning from humanitarian aid to Yemeni-led development projects. He acknowledged the significant support received from the Presidential Leadership Council, represented by President Rashad Mohammed Alimi and other council members.

International Support for Yemen

The international community expressed its support for the Yemeni government’s priorities and needs. The Prime Minister noted that Yemen had previously presented its strategy to enhance coastal security at the United Nations in November. This strategy aims to strengthen maritime security, protect Yemen’s territorial waters, and combat arms smuggling, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and illegal immigration.

In New York, Dr. bin Mubarak chaired the international ministerial meeting organized by the Yemeni government in partnership with the United Kingdom. The meeting included participation from 35 countries and was attended by British Minister of State for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer.

The meeting resulted in a joint statement affirming that stability in Yemen and regional security, including maritime security, can only be achieved through a stable, effective government accountable to the Yemeni people. International partners reiterated their commitment to supporting the Yemeni government and achieving lasting peace and stability in the country. They welcomed the government’s ongoing commitment to restoring national stability and praised its notable progress in re-establishing government institutions in Aden.

Commitment to Development and Reform

International partners pledged to collaborate with the Yemeni government, providing political, financial, and technical support to improve living conditions for all Yemenis. They emphasized that a stronger partnership between the Yemeni government and international partners is essential for achieving stability and prosperity in Yemen.

The Prime Minister confirmed that the plan presented at the international ministerial meeting received substantial and unrestricted support, with an agreement on a direct support mechanism. He stated, “We are currently discussing with international partners the support mechanism for organizing a donors’ conference and a Friends of Yemen conference.” The main focus is to shift from humanitarian aid to development, aligning with the government’s five priorities and supporting key reform paths he outlined as Prime Minister.

Dr. bin Mubarak highlighted the announcement of the “Tavi” mechanism, initiated by the UK, to bolster government efforts and support the implementation of this plan.

Meetings with UN Officials and U.S. Leaders

In New York, the Prime Minister held several meetings, including discussions with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, and UN Development Programme Administrator Achim Steiner. They reviewed the partnership between the Yemeni government and the UN, focusing on ongoing efforts to achieve peace amid the Houthi militia’s obstinacy and escalating human rights violations.

The discussions also addressed the need to reassess previous UN interventions and the potential designation of the Houthi militia as a terrorist organization, along with relocating UN missions to the temporary capital, Aden.

In Washington, the Prime Minister met with leaders from the IMF, World Bank, USAID, and Senator James Risch, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He chaired a meeting with executives from Saudi Arabia, the U.S., the UK, and France at the IMF and participated in a closed session at the U.S. Institute of Peace focused on Yemen.

He also discussed cooperation and coordination between the two governments with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, addressing the threats posed by the Houthi militia to Yemen’s security and regional stability.

The Prime Minister’s visit underscored the Yemeni government’s commitment to leading developmental and humanitarian efforts based on the urgent needs of the Yemeni people. The delegation accompanying Dr. bin Mubarak included key advisors and ministers, emphasizing the collaborative approach to addressing Yemen’s challenges.

This visit marks a significant step towards garnering international support for Yemen’s recovery and stability, with a clear focus on development and reform.

 

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