Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Dr. Afrah Al-Zouba, met today in the temporary capital, Aden, with the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Acting Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, Julien Harneis, to discuss strengthening joint coordination mechanisms between the Government of Yemen and the United Nations in support of the country’s development and recovery priorities.

The meeting, attended by the Deputy Minister of Planning and International Cooperation for International Cooperation, Omar Abdulaziz, along with a number of ministry officials and technical specialists, reviewed preparations for the development of the new United Nations Cooperation Framework. Discussions also covered several issues related to the work of UN agencies and their development and humanitarian programmes in Yemen, as well as ways to enhance cooperation between the two sides to improve the effectiveness of development and humanitarian interventions and deliver sustainable, tangible results for citizens.

Dr. Al-Zouba reaffirmed the Yemeni government’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the United Nations system in support of the country’s development priorities and humanitarian response. She stressed that the next United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) should be firmly grounded in national priorities and the government’s programme, and developed in full partnership with relevant government institutions in order to reinforce national ownership of development programmes and projects.

The Minister also underscored the importance of strengthening the government’s role in planning, implementing, and monitoring humanitarian and development programmes, while improving mechanisms for information and data sharing to support national coordination and planning efforts.

She also outlined the Ministry’s ongoing work to prepare a three-year National Development Plan—a medium-term development strategy being developed in coordination with government institutions and development partners to define national development and economic recovery priorities and ensure greater alignment of international assistance with Yemen’s national objectives during the coming period.

Dr. Al-Zouba further reiterated the urgent need to support the establishment and development of a national early warning system for climate change and climate-related disasters in light of the growing climate challenges facing Yemen. She emphasized the importance of strengthening preparedness and early response capacities to reduce the impact of disasters and protect the country’s most vulnerable communities.

For his part, the UN official reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to continuing close cooperation and coordination with the Government of Yemen and supporting its efforts in development, recovery, and humanitarian response, with the aim of addressing citizens’ needs and promoting stability.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to hold a broader consultation in the coming period, bringing together senior UN leadership, UN agencies, and relevant government institutions to discuss cooperation priorities for the next phase, strengthen coordination and partnership mechanisms, and advance preparations for the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, ensuring closer alignment between UN programmes and the Government of Yemen’s national priorities and development plans.