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Al-Alimi Stresses Unity of Yemeni Presidential Council, Questions Houthi Commitment to Peace Efforts

Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad al-Alimi receives well-wishers in Aden on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. (Saba)
Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad al-Alimi receives well-wishers in Aden on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. (Saba)
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Al-Alimi Stresses Unity of Yemeni Presidential Council, Questions Houthi Commitment to Peace Efforts

Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad al-Alimi receives well-wishers in Aden on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. (Saba)
Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad al-Alimi receives well-wishers in Aden on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. (Saba)

Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad al-Alimi underscored the unity of the PLC, saying it was more united than ever.

In an address from the interim capital Aden on the eve of Eid al-Fitr, he stressed that the Council was united over its “central goal” of restoring state institutions and peace and achieving legitimate spirations.

Al-Alimi had returned to Aden from the Saudi capital Riyadh where he had held a series of meetings aimed at launching a comprehensive peace plan. He is accompanied by PLC member Aidarous al-Zubaidi.

Al-Alimi added that a year since the formation of the PLC, the Iran-backed Houthi militias are still counting on its division.

“They will be proven wrong,” he stated, saying the Council will remain united and determined to fulfill its duties during the transitional period in line with the agreed national, regional and international references.

Furthermore, he highlighted the PLC and government’s efforts in accelerating growth and launching dozens of service projects that will be completed in various liberated provinces.

He hailed in this regard the Saudi efforts aimed at pushing the militias to renew the nationwide truce and ceasefire and kick off a comprehensive UN-sponsored political process.

Al-Alimi lamented, however, that the Houthis continue to stall and refuse to respond to peace efforts. Rather, they aim to exploit them for political gain and “misleading propaganda.”

“In order to liberate peace from such narrow interests, populist speeches and false victories, we must be diligent and hold on to hope and the pledge of peace,” he declared.

“We must confront the lies with the truth,” he stressed.

Moreover, he accused the Houthis of sparking the war and choosing to carry on with it in total disregard of the suffering of the people and their hopes for peace, security, stability and freedom.

He added that the PLC has made “necessary” concessions to ease the suffering of the people and facilitate the efforts of regional, international and UN mediators.

Al-Alimi noted the recent prisoner exchange between the legitimate government and Houthis, saying it could not have been possible without the flexibility shown by the government’s negotiations team, Saudi Arabia, UN envoy and International Committee of the Red Cross.

He vowed to spare no effort in ensuring the release of the remaining detainees held by the Houthis.

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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)
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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.