Yemeni Minister of Planning and UK Counterpart Discuss Development and Stability Partnership

Yemeni Minister of Planning Meets UK Counterpart

In London, Dr. Afrah Al-Zouba, Yemen’s Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, engaged in discussions with Baroness Jenny Chapman, the UK Minister of State for Development. Their meeting aimed to enhance the existing partnership between Yemen and the United Kingdom.

Key Areas of Discussion

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the forthcoming Global Partnerships Conference, set for May 19-20. Both officials explored vital areas, including the necessity of redirecting support towards developmental initiatives and bolstering institutional resilience. They underscored the importance of strengthening national institutions to effectively implement government programs and plans.

National Development Plan

Joining the conversation were 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. Together, they emphasized the creation of a comprehensive national development plan, rooted in national ownership and collaboratively developed from the grassroots level. This strategy aims to enhance the effectiveness of developmental interventions, aligning them with the priorities and needs of the Yemeni community.

Continued British Support

Dr. Al-Zouba commended the UK’s ongoing support for Yemen, describing it as strategic and significant. She acknowledged the UK’s historical contributions to donor conferences aimed at fostering Yemen’s development and stability.

Focus on Institutional Capacity

In her remarks, Dr. Al-Zouba reiterated directives from President Rashad Mohammed Alimi and Prime Minister Shaif Al-Zandani, emphasizing the enhancement of government institutional efficiency. She detailed plans to transition from emergency responses towards sustainable development and resilience-building.

The Minister also reviewed an institutional assessment of her ministry, conducted with British assistance, and discussed ongoing efforts to strengthen the ministry’s capabilities in line with the assessment’s findings. She highlighted the importance of sustained support aimed at enhancing the efficacy of national institutions.

UK’s Commitment and Coordination

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

The meeting also highlighted the UK’s role in coordinating with international institutions and partners to bolster the Yemeni government’s efforts. The officials acknowledged the importance of ongoing developmental support for Yemen, recognizing its regional and international significance, and the critical need to align donor efforts with developmental priorities in light of declining 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 working with international partners to support Yemen’s stability and development, in line with the government’s current priorities.

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