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Head of Yemen Reconciliation Commission to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Are Keen on Peace, Stability

Head of the Consultations and Reconciliation Commission Mohammed al-Ghaithi.
Head of the Consultations and Reconciliation Commission Mohammed al-Ghaithi.
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Head of Yemen Reconciliation Commission to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Are Keen on Peace, Stability

Head of the Consultations and Reconciliation Commission Mohammed al-Ghaithi.
Head of the Consultations and Reconciliation Commission Mohammed al-Ghaithi.

Head of the Consultations and Reconciliation Commission of the Yemen Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), Mohammed al-Ghaithi revealed that the body will work on preserving the unity of all forces and political powers.

In his first remarks to the media since his appointment, he told Asharq Al-Awsat that the PLC will rely on the commission in carrying out its duties and tasks.

The PLC is keen on the participation of all sides in consultations and decision-making.

The people are hoping for real change, summed up by the liberation of the North and stability in southern provinces, binging an end to Iran's agenda in Yemen and protecting the security and peace of the region and its future, he stressed.

Moreover, he noted that even though the Iran-backed Houthi militias receive their orders from Tehran, the PLC is seeking real peace.

Ghaithi warned that if the militias choose to return to war, then they will be faced with a conflict unlike what they have seen before.

The current stage demanded that all anti-Houthi forces stand united, meaning the commission must maintain the stances of the joint forces and political groups that make them up.

This is very important, he stressed, especially since "we have shared goals in achieving peace and confronting Houthi intransigence. No one can dispute this. We all need the cooperation of all forces to stabilize the economy and achieve internal security, unite media political discourse and effectively activate state institutions."

He explained that the members and chairman of the PLC were chosen through consensus, which "gives us hope that consensus would mark this very critical phase in Yemen."

"Even though I am a member of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), which I am very proud of, today I am representing the expectations and views of all parties," he stated.

"I will be keen on consensus and rapprochement at all times," he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Furthermore, Ghaithi said consensus does not eliminate various security, political, economic and social priorities.

For example, he explained that the case of the people of the South does not contradict the need to stand united in confronting the Houthis or reforming the economy. The southerners will determine their political future through their own will and this applies to all other parties.

The PLC is keen on the participation of all sides in the consultations and decision-making, he added. "This is an extraordinary phase and I am very optimistic."

The people have high expectations from the PLC and "we are responsible before God and history," he remarked. "The changes must be collectively introduce."

"I am speaking here of real change that can be felt by the people. This includes the liberation of the northern provinces, defeating Iran, protecting the security and future of the region and respecting the will of the people, without exception, in the South and the North," stated Ghaithi.

Turning to Saudi Arabia, he described Riyadh as a "peacemaker". The Yemeni people flocked to Riyadh for the consultations earlier this month and they returned from it united.

As a member of the STC, he stressed that "we are always keen on success and supporting the efforts of our brothers in Saudi Arabia. This is a firm principle in our policy and stances," he added.

"The Riyadh consultations have met our previous demands and it indeed reformed the presidency, tackled the economy and granted us real partnership in decision-making," he stated. "It confirmed the need for the South to decide its fate."

"Peace is our only option and the only option of our brothers in the region," he continued.

"If the Houthis decide to go back to their stalling and intransigence and reject peace, if they choose war, then the conflict will differ from its predecessors and the militias will pay a heavy price for such irrational actions," he warned.

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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), told Asharq al-Awsat that global hunger increased sharply during the coronavirus pandemic, noting that the GCC countries were able to shield themselves from major shocks affecting food security.
Laborde added that global hunger affected over 152 million people, with no improvement in the past two years.
Today, 733 million people suffer from chronic hunger, and 2.3 billion face food insecurity, according to the UN annual report on “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.”

Laborde explained that the global economic crisis has worsened food insecurity, keeping hunger levels high.
Alongside this, climate shocks and conflicts are major causes of hunger. He also pointed out that food insecurity is closely tied to inequality, and the economic crisis, rising living costs, and high interest rates are deepening existing inequalities both within and between countries.
On whether economic diversification in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is boosting food security, Laborde said: “A move towards a more diversified economy and enhancing the ability to rely on various sources of food supplies are key drivers of food security resilience and stability.”
“GCC countries have managed to shield themselves from major shocks, primarily due to their high income levels and ability to cover import costs without difficulty,” he explained.
Regarding the FAO’s outlook on reducing global hunger, Laborde insisted that ending hunger will require a significant increase in funding.
When asked for suggestions on how governments could enhance food security, Laborde said: “Despite global figures remaining stable, improvements are seen in Asia and Latin America, showing that the right policies and conditions can reduce numbers.”
“Hunger is not inevitable. Investing in social safety nets to protect the poor, along with making structural changes to food systems to be more environmentally friendly, resilient, and equitable, is the right path forward,” emphasized Laborde.
The annual State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, published on Wednesday, said about 733 million people faced hunger in 2023 – one in 11 people globally and one in five in Africa.
Hunger and food insecurity present critical challenges affecting millions globally.
The annual report, released this year during the G20 Global Alliance for Hunger and Poverty Task Force ministerial meeting in Brazil, warns that the world is significantly lagging in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2—ending hunger by 2030.
It highlights that global progress has regressed by 15 years, with malnutrition levels comparable to those seen in 2008-2009.
Despite some progress in areas like stunting and exclusive breastfeeding, a troubling number of people still face food insecurity and malnutrition, with global hunger levels rising.