Saudi Arabia, Yemen Sign 12 Solar-Powered Water Projects Agreements

The signing ceremony was attended by the director of the SDRPY office in Aden, Ahmed Madkhali, and several local officials. (SDRPY)
The signing ceremony was attended by the director of the SDRPY office in Aden, Ahmed Madkhali, and several local officials. (SDRPY)
TT

Saudi Arabia, Yemen Sign 12 Solar-Powered Water Projects Agreements

The signing ceremony was attended by the director of the SDRPY office in Aden, Ahmed Madkhali, and several local officials. (SDRPY)
The signing ceremony was attended by the director of the SDRPY office in Aden, Ahmed Madkhali, and several local officials. (SDRPY)

Yemen’s interim capital, Aden, witnessed on Monday the signing of agreements for 12 potable water projects using solar energy technologies in three governorates. The agreements will also enable projects for improving the quality of life for Yemenis in five governorates.

The projects come with a tripartite contribution from the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen (SDRPY), the Arab Gulf Program for Development (AGFUND) and the Sela Foundation for Development.

They will target five governorates: Hadramout, Abyan, Lahj, Taiz and Hodeidah.

The signing ceremony was attended by the director of SDRPY office in Aden, Ahmed Madkhali, and several local officials.

During the ceremony, Madkhali explained that Saudi Arabia, through SDRPY, made qualitative contributions in meeting the needs of various basic and vital sectors in Yemen.

Madkhali stressed SDRPY’s keenness to unify efforts to achieve a stable and prosperous future for Yemenis.

According to the director, SDRPY is operating in cooperation with the Yemeni government and development partners in Yemen.

“The SDRPY seeks to contribute to improving the standard of living of the Yemeni people and their daily life, especially in the field of water. This important project will contribute to providing fresh and safe water sources with clean and renewable energy,” said Madkhali.

Participating through videoconference at the signing ceremony, an AGFUND representative explained that the projects were inspired by the need to end the suffering that Yemeni governorates are witnessing in the lack of access to potable water.

Sela Foundation for Development Executive Director Ali Hassan Bashmakh said that the projects will raise the operational efficiency of drinking water projects in the targeted governorates and will meet their daily needs of fresh and clean water.

Bashmakh praised the efforts of SDRPY and AGFUND in financing such sustainable projects in the field of water.

SDRPY has implemented as many as 224 development projects and initiatives in various Yemeni governorates to serve Yemeni people in seven main sectors: education, health, water, energy, transport, agriculture, and fishery, and building the capacity of government institutions and development programs.



US Says Committed to 'Diplomatic Resolution' in Lebanon

FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
TT

US Says Committed to 'Diplomatic Resolution' in Lebanon

FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed that the United States was dedicated to a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon and urged Israel to improve "dire" conditions in Gaza, in a call Saturday with his Israeli counterpart.

Austin "reiterated US commitment to a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon that allows Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return safely to their homes on both sides of the border" in his call with Israel Katz, according to a Pentagon spokesperson.

Austin also "urged the Government of Israel to continue to take steps to improve the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza and emphasized the US commitment to securing the release of all hostages, including US citizens."

Lebanon said Saturday that an Israeli air strike in the heart of Beirut that brought down a residential building and jolted residents across the city killed at least 11 people.

Israel stepped up its campaign against the Hezbollah militant group in late September, targeting its strongholds in Lebanon.

Lebanon's health ministry says at least 3,645 people have been killed since October 2023, when Hezbollah began trading fire with Israel in solidarity with its Palestinian ally Hamas.

The United Nations and others have repeatedly decried humanitarian conditions, particularly in northern Gaza, where Israel said Friday it had killed two commanders involved in Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack.

In the call with Katz, Austin also discussed ongoing Israeli operations and reaffirmed Washington's "ironclad commitment to Israel's security," the Pentagon said.