Minister of Planning discusses with German ambassador strengthening development cooperation in vital sectors

[25/02/2026 07:01]
Aden - Saba

The Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Dr. Afrah Al-Zuba, discussed today, via video conference, with the German Ambassador to Yemen, Thomas Friedrich Schneider, strengthening joint development cooperation between the two countries in a number of vital sectors.

The meeting addressed priority areas of cooperation between the two countries, foremost among which are water and sanitation, technical education and vocational training, health, fisheries, peacebuilding and community stability, in addition to prospects for involving the private sector in the economic recovery process, in light of the government's adoption of the public-private partnership policy document.

Minister Al-Zouba reviewed the priorities of the government programme based on the economic rescue plan and Presidential Leadership Council Decision No. (11) and the reform agenda agreed with international and regional partners, which includes security and political stability, economic recovery, improvement of basic services in health, education, electricity and infrastructure, and strengthening governance, transparency and the fight against corruption. She emphasised the importance of protecting development gains and joint investments in Yemeni institutions that have been built over decades of cooperation.

The Minister of Planning stressed the need for close coordination between German institutions and relevant ministries to ensure the sustainability of programmes and achieve the maximum possible impact. She reviewed promising opportunities for investment in industrial zones, specialised health services, agriculture and fisheries.

Dr Al-Zuba pointed to the comprehensive institutional reform being undertaken by the ministry, which includes conducting an institutional assessment to prepare a reform roadmap, creating a better environment for absorbing international support and enhancing coordination with partners. She emphasised the importance of striking a balance between supporting local authorities and coordinating with central institutions to prevent institutional fragmentation and ensure the integration of development efforts.

For his part, the German ambassador to Yemen praised the depth of the points raised by Minister Al-Zuba. He affirmed that the German-Yemeni partnership, which spans more than half a century, represents a solid foundation on which to build, and that the German Development Bank will continue its support for development projects in Yemen, while the Berghof Foundation will remain involved in peacebuilding and stability programmes.

The German ambassador pointed to the strength of Yemeni-German economic ties through the Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and the importance of creating a stable environment to attract investment.