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Putin and Abbas to Discuss Gaza Disaster, Regional Developments

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with his Palestinian counterpart, Mahmoud Abbas, in the Kremlin in Moscow. AP file photo
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with his Palestinian counterpart, Mahmoud Abbas, in the Kremlin in Moscow. AP file photo
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Putin and Abbas to Discuss Gaza Disaster, Regional Developments

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with his Palestinian counterpart, Mahmoud Abbas, in the Kremlin in Moscow. AP file photo
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with his Palestinian counterpart, Mahmoud Abbas, in the Kremlin in Moscow. AP file photo

The Kremlin announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold a round of talks on Tuesday with his Palestinian counterpart, Mahmoud Abbas, who is on an official visit to Moscow.

The Russian presidency said “the unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip” and situation in the Middle East would top the agenda of the meeting.

Abbas has announced his intention to discuss arrangements for the situation in Gaza, and the Palestinian Authority’s willingness to assume its responsibilities in the enclave, in addition to the prospects for launching a Palestinian-Israeli dialogue and preparations for setting a practical path to implement the proposal of ​​an international conference on the Middle East.

“It is expected that an exchange of views will be held on the situation in the Middle East in light of the current aggravation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip,” the Kremlin said in a post on Telegram.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said that the Palestinian President’s visit to Russia is “extremely important” for coordinating positions on ways to resolve the conflict in the Middle East.

“This will be an extremely important conversation that we need to have together, because we need to work out some sort of stable joint approach regarding future steps on how to proceed in the course of achieving peace and security in the Middle East based on the norms of justice, approved by the international community,” he stated.

Abbas, for his part, told TASS news agency that Palestine is prepared to hold an international peace conference during which all aspects of the final status of the Palestinian issue will be resolved. He explained that the strategic solution starts with giving the Palestinian people their right to freedom and independence.

“The guarantee to achieve stability and security in the Middle East is the implementation of a decision on the formation of two states, based on the international law, the withdrawal of Israel from the Palestinian territories, which have been occupied since 1967, with the capital of East Jerusalem there," Abbas said in his interview with TASS.

Abbas stressed that large-scale reconstruction requires the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and the implementation of a political solution based on international law to achieve comprehensive peace and security.

Emphasizing the need to stop all unilateral Israeli hostilities in the West Bank and Jerusalem, Abbas called for settling of all aspects of the final status during the international peace conference, in addition to achieving the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces within the agreed upon timeframe, and implementing the general regional security mechanism.

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Arab World

Half of Yemen’s Population Face Mounting Risks from Climate Change

Al-Garehi Al-Gharbi camp in the Abs district of north-west Yemen. (Norwegian Refugee Council)
Al-Garehi Al-Gharbi camp in the Abs district of north-west Yemen. (Norwegian Refugee Council)
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Half of Yemen’s Population Face Mounting Risks from Climate Change

Al-Garehi Al-Gharbi camp in the Abs district of north-west Yemen. (Norwegian Refugee Council)
Al-Garehi Al-Gharbi camp in the Abs district of north-west Yemen. (Norwegian Refugee Council)

Already suffering from a prolonged conflict as a result of the Houthi coup against the legitimate authority, Yemen is facing mounting risks brought on by climate change, the World Bank warned on Thursday.
Many populations are facing threats from climate change, such as extreme heat, drought, and floods, the WB said in its newly released Yemen Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR).
Stephane Guimbert, World Bank Country Director for Egypt, Yemen and Djibouti said that Yemen is facing an unprecedented convergence of crises — conflict, climate change, and poverty.
He called for immediate and decisive action on climate resilience, a matter of survival for millions of Yemenis.
“By investing in water security, climate-smart agriculture, and renewable energy, Yemen can safeguard human capital, build resilience and lay the foundations for a path to sustainable recovery,” he said.
The WB report said half of Yemenis are already exposed to at least one climate hazard — extreme heat, drought, or flooding — with compounding effects on food insecurity and poverty.
These risks, it showed, are expected to intensify without immediate action and Yemen’s annual GDP could decline by an average of 3.9% by 2040 under pessimistic climate scenarios, largely due to decreased agricultural productivity and infrastructure damage.
Navigating Challenges
Despite these challenges, the CCDR identifies strategic opportunities to strengthen resilience, improve food and water security, and unlock sustainable growth, the WB report noted.
For example, it said, targeted investments in water storage and groundwater management, coupled with adaptive agriculture techniques could lead to productivity gains of up to 13.5% in crop production under optimistic climate scenarios for the period of 2041 to 2050.
The report also spoke about risks to the fisheries sector, considered as a critical source of livelihood for many Yemenis.
Its projections indicate a potential decline of up to 23% in fish stocks due to rising sea temperatures and altered marine ecosystems.

The WB report also said that climate change exacerbates existing health challenges in Yemen, leading to increased healthcare costs and strain on already fragile health systems.
“It is projected that climate-related health issues could cost the country over $5 billion in excess health costs by 2050,” it noted.
“Addressing these challenges requires integrating climate resilience into public health planning, with a focus on vulnerable groups such as women and children.”
Concerning infrastructure, the report said urban areas and critical infrastructure are especially vulnerable, and without adaptation measures, economic shocks will disproportionately affect already fragile communities.
As for the private sector, it has a critical role to play in addressing Yemen’s pressing development challenges, said Khawaja Aftab Ahmed, IFC’s Regional Director for the Middle East.
“Harnessing its potential through innovative financing mechanisms and guarantee instruments and creating a conducive investment climate can help mobilize the climate-focused funding the country urgently needs to build a greener and more resilient future,” he said.
The WB report also said that Yemen also has immense potential for renewable energy, which could serve as a key component of its climate response and recovery.
It showed that harnessing renewable energy resources not only offers a pathway to reduce reliance on fossil fuels but also enables the creation of a more resilient power infrastructure.
“This will be essential in supporting vital services such as healthcare, water supply, and food distribution, particularly in conflict-affected areas,” it said.
Global Coordination
The World Bank highlighted the significant commitments and coordination from the international community to support Yemen in coping with climate shocks and building broader resilience.
It said securing sustainable peace will be required to unlock the financing and take the action needed to build long-term resilience to climate change.
The CCDR then underscored the importance of flexible, risk-informed decision-making to adapt climate actions to Yemen's uncertain political landscape.
Under a “Peace and Prosperity” scenario, it said, a higher level of adaptation can be implemented, yielding greater economic and social benefits.
Yemeni Minister of Water and Environment, Tawfiq Al-Sharjabi, stressed the importance of integrating climate action into development strategies and adapting to climate fluctuations.
The minister was speaking at a special session to discuss the WB report on the sidelines of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
He said the report represents a significant contribution for Yemen in addressing climate change and will facilitate access to various climate financing options amid the structural and technical fragility faced by institutions due to the war.
The report, Al-Sharjabi added, aligns closely with Yemen's urgent priorities, particularly in the areas of water and food security, enhancing livelihoods, and promoting area-based climate adaptation approaches.