Minister of Planning Chairs Consultations with the World Bank on the New Country Partnership Framework (2026–2030)

[08/03/2026 06:07]

Aden - Saba News Agency

The Minister of Planning and International Cooperation and Governor of the Republic of Yemen to the World Bank Group, Dr. Afrah Al-Zuba, chaired an expanded consultation session today with the World Bank Group to discuss the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for the period 2026–2030.

Participants in the session included the Minister of Public Health and Population, Dr. Qasim Bahibah; the Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Fisheries, Major General Salem Al-Saqtari; the Minister of Water and Environment, Eng. Tawfiq Al-Sharjabi; the Minister of Electricity and Energy, Eng. Adnan Al-Kaf; the Minister of Education, Dr. Adel Al-Abadi; the Minister of Public Works and Roads, Eng. Hussein Al-Aqrab; and the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Mukhtar Al-Yafai, in addition to representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Finance, and the Central Bank of Yemen.

[08/03/2026 06:07] Minister Al-Zuba said, "The Board of Directors of the International Development Association (IDA) approved Yemen's eligibility for the Continued Engagement During Conflict (RECA) allocation last Thursday, March 5, 2026, which will provide additional funding of up to $400 million during the current renewal cycle."

She added, "The government expects the Country Partnership Framework to reflect the priorities of the government program, foremost among them economic recovery, improving basic services, and strengthening institutional governance." She emphasized the importance of a gradual transition from humanitarian response to building the capacity of national institutions and enhancing their role in implementing development programs.

Dr. Al-Zuba addressed the reforms and governance file, which represents a pivotal pillar of the partnership framework. She explained that the government will incorporate all the observations made by ministers and officials during the session and formulate them into a comprehensive document to be officially submitted to the World Bank. This document will then be discussed with the Bank's senior management to ensure its reflection in the final version before adoption. She called for the establishment of a regular consultation mechanism to monitor implementation and for support in building the capacity of the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, as it is the main focal point for coordination with donors and for planning at the national level. National.

The Yemeni government reiterated its commitment to a fruitful and effective partnership with the World Bank Group during the period 2026–2030, aimed at supporting economic recovery and improving the lives of Yemeni citizens.

Participating ministers presented their sectoral priorities, calling for enhanced support for vital sectors, including health, education, agriculture, water, energy, roads, and social protection, to bolster economic recovery and improve services for citizens.

Dina Abu Ghaida, Country Director for Yemen at the World Bank Group, presented the proposed partnership framework. She noted that the International Development Association's (IDA) commitments to Yemen during the period 2022–2025 amounted to approximately $1.6 billion, contributing to results such as providing over 23 million health services, supplying water services to nearly 3 million beneficiaries, and supporting electricity services for schools, health facilities, and water wells.

Abu Ghaida affirmed that the World Bank will continue to support Yemen through financing, technical studies, and knowledge transfer, while exploring partnership opportunities with relevant stakeholders. International support to enhance the implementation of development programs during the coming period.