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

The meeting brought together Minister of Public Health and Population Dr. Qasem Buhaibeh, Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Fisheries Maj. Gen. Salem Al-Soqatri, Minister of Water and Environment Eng. Tawfiq Al-Sharjabi, Minister of Electricity and Energy Eng. Adnan Al-Kaf, Minister of Education Dr. Adel Al-Abbadi, Minister of Public Works and Highways Eng. Hussein Al-Aqraabi, Minister of Social Affairs and Labour Mukhtar Al-Yafaei, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Finance, and the Central Bank of Yemen.

Dr. Al-Zouba announced that the International Development Association (IDA) Board of Executive Directors had approved, on 5 March 2026, Yemen’s eligibility for the Remaining Engaged during Conflict Allocation (RECA), enabling the country to access up to US$400 million in additional financing during the current IDA replenishment cycle.

She emphasized that the Government expects the new Country Partnership Framework to reflect the priorities of its programme, particularly economic recovery, improved basic public services, and stronger institutional governance. She also stressed the importance of gradually transitioning from humanitarian response to strengthening national institutions and expanding their role in implementing development programmes.

The Minister highlighted governance and institutional reform as a central pillar of the new partnership framework. She explained that the Government would consolidate all recommendations submitted by ministers and officials during the consultation into a comprehensive document to be formally shared with the World Bank and discussed with the Bank’s senior management to ensure that the Government’s priorities are reflected in the final framework before its approval.

Dr. Al-Zouba also called for the establishment of a regular consultation mechanism to monitor implementation and for enhanced support to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation in its role as the Government’s principal focal point for donor coordination and national development planning.

She reaffirmed the Government of Yemen’s aspiration to build a strong and productive partnership with the World Bank Group throughout the 2026–2030 period in support of economic recovery and improved living conditions for the Yemeni people.

Participating ministers presented their sectoral priorities, calling for increased support for critical sectors including health, education, agriculture, water, energy, roads, and social protection to accelerate economic recovery and improve public services.

For her part, Dina Abu-Ghaida, World Bank Country Director for Yemen, presented the proposed Country Partnership Framework. She noted that IDA commitments to Yemen during 2022–2025 totaled approximately US$1.6 billion, contributing to results that included the delivery of more than 23 million health services, access to water services for approximately 3 million beneficiaries, and expanded electricity services for schools, health facilities, and water wells.

Ms. Abu-Ghaida reaffirmed the World Bank’s commitment to continuing its support for Yemen through financing, technical assistance, and knowledge sharing, while exploring additional partnership opportunities with international development partners to strengthen the implementation of development programmes during the coming period.