Yemen's government held a roundtable meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday in Aden with UN agencies to redirect relief support towards sustainable development.
The government hopes the UN humanitarian role becomes more effective and efficient, especially in the liberated areas, seeking to move the headquarters of international agencies and organizations to Aden, away from the control of the Houthi group in Sanaa.
Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik and UN and government officials attended the inaugural session of the two-day meeting.
They discussed several work papers related to the vision of the national sectors, interventions, development, and humanitarian aid, and the most prominent challenges and achievements 2023.
The meetings also addressed cooperation between the government and the UN to coordinate humanitarian and development interventions for 2024.
- Transformation path
The Prime Minister stressed the need for Yemenis to chart the course of development transformation instead of relying on relief, considering that sustainable development is the basis for overcoming the worst global humanitarian crisis.
Abdulmalik pointed out that since the Houthi coup, his country has lost half of its gross national product, with economic growth indicators falling to their lowest levels.
He accused the Houthis of rejecting peace, recalling their attacks on oil export ports, causing the country to lose approximately 51 percent of revenues compared to last year.
The Yemeni government will continue to adopt and implement reform policies with the support of the UAE and Saudi-led Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen to restructure the general budget, rationalize expenditures, implement financial and tax reforms, and work with donors and the private sector.
He explained that the reform policies helped the country pay the salaries, maintain the minimum essential services, and enhance the steadfastness of Yemenis.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of boosting the capabilities of public institutions and the state in partnership with the UN and its affiliated agencies to achieve sustainable development.
Abdulmalik explained that his government's priorities are to maintain stability, prevent the collapse of purchasing power, maintain the minimum amount of services, and guarantee electricity and water.
-Overcoming challenges
Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Waed Badhib reiterated the importance of a high-level dialogue to discuss the government's priorities and the mid-term UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) review.
Badhib recalled that the international framework faces significant challenges, mainly related to the ongoing conflict and targeting sources of income, including oil platforms, which has led to the deterioration of the economic and financial situation.
The minister stressed the importance of adhering to the UN principles in implementing the Framework, proposing another year's extension following a comprehensive review with the participation of all relevant partners who would provide recommendations to improve and update it.
He called on international partners and donors to increase their commitments and contributions to support the implementation of the Framework and achieve its goals, activate joint mechanisms and platforms, and hold periodic review meetings.
