Beirut-Amman, 21 July 2022--The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) today launched an initiative to support the formulation of a national recovery vision for Yemen, in a meeting held in Amman which brought together a wide array of representatives from regional and international organizations and funds supporting the country.
The initiative aims to pave the way for a national dialogue to develop a vision for recovery and sustainable development based on consensus. The initiative will also focus on strengthening public institutions and preparing them for the recovery process, by providing technical assistance and deepening partnerships.
During the meeting, ESCWA Executive Secretary Rola Dashti said that Yemen was at a crossroads and that, while a road map for peace may be in place, efforts were necessary to achieve national recovery and reach a common vision for development. Dashti further stressed that consensus and strong collaboration were key to responding to the aftermath of the war. “It is in Yemen’s interest and that of the entire region to ensure that recovery is sustainable, and any conflict relapse is prevented,” she added.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of the grave challenges facing Yemen due to war. Even before the crisis, Yemen was classified among the least developed countries (LDCs) - those which have the lowest socioeconomic development levels.
Years of conflict have fragmented institutions and society, driving Yemenis to the edge of famine. National institutions have limited capacity to support pre-recovery efforts, let alone facilitate recovery, reconstruction and development. Many donors and multilateral entities are struggling to put a proper structure in place to provide assistance.
For his part, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation in Yemen Waed Abdullah Abdul Razzaq Badhib underlined the importance of forging a national vision that covers economic, social and governance dimensions, while considering national priorities, to rebuild state institutions and realize a just and sustainable peace. He also noted that recovery and reconstruction can be indeed achieved, by broadening collaboration and expanding partnerships with the regional and international partners of Yemen.
National, regional and international stakeholders called for a long-term approach in addressing Yemen’s socioeconomic and governance challenges. They also welcomed the timely initiative of ESCWA to mobilize technical and financial support to assist the country.
During the meeting, ESCWA also presented the next steps in the coming months, which will involve Yemeni experts working together to come up with a long-term vision for recovery.
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About ESCWA
One of five United Nations regional commissions, ESCWA supports inclusive and sustainable economic and social development in Arab States, and works on enhancing regional integration.
For more information:
- Ms. Maryam Sleiman, Public Information Assistant, +961-81-769-888; email: sleiman2@un.org
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