Planning Minister Discusses Expanding Development Support and Strengthening Recovery Priorities in Yemen with World Bank Delegation

[29/03/2026 02:09]
Aden - Saba

The Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Dr Afrah Al-Zuba, today discussed in the temporary capital, Aden, with the World Bank’s Vice President for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Othman Dyon, joint efforts to expand development support in Yemen and strengthen key recovery priorities.

During the meeting, attended by the Deputy Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Dr Nizar Basheeb, and the Ministry’s undersecretaries, alongside the World Bank Group’s Regional Director, Stéphane Guimbert, the World Bank Group’s Country Director for Yemen, Dina Abu Ghaida, and Bank specialists, a review of projects and activities implemented and funded by the Bank through UN and international organisations in the areas of basic services, infrastructure, institutional reforms and capacity building, as well as a discussion of the support required to enhance the effectiveness of these programmes.

They also discussed the current economic and humanitarian situation and the challenges facing the government given limited resources, whilst reviewing priorities for the coming phase, foremost among which are improving basic services, supporting economic stability, promoting gradual recovery, and ways to implement the project portfolio for the current year.

Minister Al-Zuba welcomed the World Bank delegation’s visit to the temporary capital, Aden, praising the existing level of cooperation and emphasising the government’s commitment to continuing joint efforts to achieve development and improve citizens’ living standards.

The Minister emphasised the importance of aligning the Bank’s 2026 project portfolio with the government’s approved priorities, calling for an increase in funding allocations for Yemen in the new cycle, whilst taking into account urgent needs in the areas of health, education, water, infrastructure, job creation for young people, and women’s economic empowerment.

Dr Afrah Al-Zuba stressed the need to strengthen coordination with relevant government bodies, thereby contributing to improving the efficiency of project implementation, accelerating the pace of completion, ensuring the sustainability of development interventions, and achieving a direct impact on citizens’ lives. She noted the importance of expanding the scope of development programmes and gradually transitioning from emergency interventions to sustainable projects, whilst focusing on supporting national institutions and building their capacity so that they can manage programmes efficiently and independently.

For his part, the World Bank Vice-President emphasised the importance of strengthening the partnership between the government and development partners, and coordinating efforts to achieve tangible results, improve the efficient use of available resources, and support priority programmes.

Both sides also stressed the importance of shifting support from humanitarian work towards sustainable development, whilst continuing to support the most vulnerable groups, alongside a focus on vital sectors, particularly energy, infrastructure and education. 

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)