November 24, 2006

THE DONORS CONFERENCE FOR YEMEN DONATES USD 4.7 BILLION HALF OF IT FROM THE GCC MEMBER STATES. THE YEMENI PRESIDENT CALLS FOR OFFERING A HELPING HAND TO YEMENIS SO THAT THEY CAN DEFEAT POVERTY, ILLITERACY AND UNEMPLOYMENT. SAUDI ARABIA OFFERS $ ONE BILLION TO YEMEN. The Government of Yemen has appreciated the active role played by the Secretariat General of GCC Countries, Council countries concerned Funds, World Bank, and the UK Government on the success of London donors conference, and realizing good results which it come out to set-up new phase of real partnership. The statement issued by the Government of Yemen about London donors conference for Yemen during the current 15-16 November, clarified that the donor countries and organizations announced their support for implementing the 3rd five-year plan with $45 billion and 723 million, it is equal to 86% of the total financial gap demanded for implementing investment program of the 3rd economic and social development plan. The activities of London donors conference for Republic of Yemen which held from 15-16 of current November ended in attendance of President Saleh and in the participation of more than 42 donor countries and organizations represented by GCC countries Foreign and Finance ministers, representatives of concerned Funds of countries ministers council, international and regional organizations presidents, representatives and donor local, regional and international NGOs. The conference was organized by the Ministry of Planning in coordination and consultation with British Government (hosting country), the World Bank, the Secretariat General of GCC (sponsor of the conference). In the first day of the conference activities President Ali Abdullah Saleh reviewed Yemen's experience in democracy, political multiparty, economical reform, government plans in fighting poverty, unemployment, terrorism, national reforms agenda, implementation performance, in addition to strengthening women participation in political, social and development process and the necessity of strengthening partnership among the Republic of Yemen and donor countries including GCC countries. President Saleh confirmed the importance of the role which Yemen undertakes with the GCC countries in guaranteeing stability and security of Arabian Peninsula and Gulf, he pointed out the importance of shouldering donors society its responsibility in supporting development, poverty, unemployment eradication march in Yemen. Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation will undertake after the conference preparations to hold the ordinary meetings with donors associations in Sana'a with the aim of evaluating the level of the conference accomplished results and arrange for holding other donors conference in Sana'a after two years. President Ali Abdullah Saleh launched in Lancaster House in London the donors conference for supporting development in Yemen which was attended by representatives from the world states and institutions in particular the Gulf Cooperation Council States. The conference discussed in two days a number of papers including the 2006-2010 economic and social development plan and investment program, a report on the implementation of the national reform agenda, a paper of aids policy, a study on the logistic capacity and aids and a report on the mechanisms of implementing development projects as well as state papers including an assessment report of Yemen's needs, a summary of 2005 census, an annual report on strategy of alleviating poverty and the 2005 strategic vision of Yemen. In its turn the World Bank deliverd papers reviewing the policy of development and strategy of Qatar aids to Yemen, an evaluation of the investment environment in Yemen, Yemen external debts. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also delivered a paper explaining the possible economic benefits of the expansion of the Gulf Cooperation Council due to Yemen membership in the council. Other papers were delivered by the United Nations including a study for the entire economic situations in Yemen and the United Nations' development aids to Yemen and a common assessment. At the opening of the Consultative Group Meeting for Yemen's Development Partners, President Saleh called the meeting to be more positive than the 2002 one held in Paris. He stated that Yemen is "committed" to continuing the comprehensive reforms program it has already started in 1997. Yemen early started reform process. Since the Unification in 1990, Yemen has been maintaining democratic approach in terms of multiparty, opinion freedom, press freedom, respecting human rights and women involvement in different walks of life, President Saleh said, pointing out that, in Yemen, women nowadays are ministers and ambassadors and can participate in elections as a voter and as a candidate. President Saleh stated that Yemen would soon apply to be a member in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. The last Yemeni election was a real contest and not a play, the President said, pointing out that all international observers agreed to its fairness. "Practicing democracy is better than its absence," said President Saleh. Yemen is going to modify the local authority law so that to allow the election of governors and district directors. In addition, an autonomous authority will be established to implement the law of financial inviolability, another authority for bidding and auctions and a third to implement anti-terrorism law, the President said. Our security is a safety for you, and there is inter-integrity between us and you, so you have to give us your hand to avoid our problems, Saleh concluded addressing GCC states. In his speech to donor meeting, President Saleh stated that poverty is a "fruitful pasture to attract youth people and then recruit them to commit suicides". We, in Yemen, like other countries, suffered from terrorism most recent of which was the attacks on oil facilities during last September elections, President Saleh said, pointing to the two foiled attempts in Marib and Hadhrmout. We have to work with each other to stabilize peace and security in the region, and to establish a giant force with a considerable resources and capabilities, the President added. President Saleh re-welcomed Gulf investments, particularly in strategic projects Yemen is in need for such as electrification projects. When we talk about nuclear energy, we do not mean to be a nuclear state. We want to economically use nuclear energy for civil and peaceful use. President Saleh concluded. President Ali Abdullah Saleh received the heads of regional and international delegations to the Consultative Group Meeting for Yemen's Development Partners in London. President Saleh talked with the delegations over topics of the meeting and means to come out with positive results to support the development march in Yemen. He praised the good arrangements for the meeting and the level of international and regional attendance. With the heads of GCC's delegations, President Saleh expressed his appreciation for the Gulf Countries' aids to Yemen to make a good development move, asserting that it will enhance partnership between Yemen and GCC as well as rehabilitate the Yemeni economy to go in line with the economies of the GCC. The Vice President of the World Bank Daniela Grissini said the Consultative Group Meeting for Yemen's development partners is a significant move outlining the actual partnership between Yemen and its neighbouring countries and donors. In the opening session of the London meeting, Grissini expressed optimism by the attendance of a large number of countries and donors to offer help to Yemen. Grissini said that she has devoted most of her efforts for Yemen and it was the first country she visited to discuss ways of improving the Current situation there. She said that Yemen is encountering big challenges such as oil pitfalls, water shortage and the poor infrastructure in addition to the need to sufficient social services. Yemen has to exert every single effort to face these challenges, she said. On the sideline of this meeting, another two meetings will be Held to draw two special plans for eliminating poverty and tackling issue of refugees in Yemen, she said. The Consultative Group Meeting for Yemen's development is a beginning step in the way of future joint Yemeni-Gulf work to serve the development in Yemen, Abdul-Rahman Al Atiyyah, Secretary General of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) said. The meeting would push businessmen to invest in Yemen," Al Atiyyah said in his speech in the meeting, being held in London. "The meeting is very important to collect required funds for the development in Yemen within the current reforms taken by the government of Yemen,"Al Atiyyah said. Yemen and GCC are currently preparing for conference for investment opportunities in Yemen which will be held next February, 2007. Many studies have been conducted over the needs for supporting the Yemeni economy and investments program for four coming years. He highlighted the reforms taken by the government of Yemen which aims at realizing goals of the development, especially in education, health as well as enhancing role of women in the development process. "The results of the meeting would reflect positively on the role of the private sector to take part effectively in the development process," he said. He expressed thanks for all people participated in organizing for this meeting. The Consultative Group Meeting for Yemen's Development Partners affirmed the interest of Gulf Cooperation Council countries on the future of development in Yemen, the Head of Ministerial Council for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zaid Al-Nahyan said. In his speech to in the Consultative Group Meeting for Yemen's Development Partners, Sheikh Al-Nahyan expressed his thanks to the British government for hosting the meeting that was organized to collect funds to help Yemen to carry out its development programs. The participation of international and Arab funding corporation in the London meeting asserts readiness of all to help Yemen, he said. Yemen and the GCC's member states have historical relations and strategic partnership Sheikh Al-Nahyan said, the coming period needs to gather efforts and discuss all issues of common concern with honesty and transparency, he said. Sheikh Al-Nahyan hailed the administrative, financial and economic reforms taken by the Yemeni government, wishing success for the meeting. The Yemeni Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Abdul-Karim al-Arhabi said that the London meeting is a beginning of real partnership between Yemen, the GCC states and the international community. It is a chance for Yemen to overcome difficulties that it still faces. The meeting resulted in offering USD 4.7 billions to support development in Yemen he said in a press conference, al-Arhabi said that the two-day meeting reviewed the economic challenges that face Yemen and the national agenda for reforms. Another meeting will be organize between Yemen and donors next May, 2007 to discuss the progress in the economic development. Another expanded meeting is to be held after two years to evaluate the level of execution and to study the achieved results. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia allocated one billion dollar as gift for supporting the developments' program in Yemen, the Saudi Finance Minister announced. Addressing participants in the Consultative Group Meeting for Yemen's development partners, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Asaf said that the kingdom appreciates the efforts exerted by Yemen to realize real progresses in different fields through its reform agenda and combating corruption as well are judicial reforms. "Yemen still faces many challenges, which have an impact on its economy. We are all here to offer help and support to the Yemeni government to address those challenges in order to achieve a good living standard for the Yemeni citizens," he said. The Minister highlighted excellent the ties between the kingdom and Yemen, saying that the London meeting is a turning point in Yemen's economy. He confirmed the commitment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to offer support for development in Yemen. The United Arab Emirates announced its granting of $ 500 million dollar for the development in Yemen. The President of United Arab Emirates, Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan gave orders to grant $ 500 million for supporting efforts of the development in Yemen," Hamdan bin Rashid al-Maktum, UAE Minister of Finance & Industry said. The political and economic relationship between Yemen and UAE is based on partnership between the two countries, Al-Maktum said in his speech in the Consultative Group Meeting for Yemen's development partners, held in London. He expressed thank to all those who participated in organizing the meeting in well manner. This meeting is a successful step that reflects commitment of the funding corporation to support the development in the region, he concluded. Four Gulf countries announced around 2 billion dollar as assistance for Yemen. In the consultative meeting for Yemen's development partners held in London, Saudi Arabia announced one billion as assistance to Yemen and UAE and Qatar offered the same amount. Oman granted Yemen an amount of $100 million. Oman has decided to offer $100 million as assistance to Yemen, the Omani Foreign Minister Yussef bin Alawi announced. In his speech in the Consultative Group Meeting for Yemen's Development Partners, "Certainly, as the Yemeni president said, we are looking at this meeting as a new beginning for Yemen, for all the neighbouring countries and the region too," he said. He highlighted efforts taken by Yemen to go ahead with reforms and achieve stability as well as improving the joint work with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Alawi wished success to this meeting to help Yemen in its development efforts. At the opening session of the Consultative Group Meeting for Yemen's Development Partners in London, the Qatari foreign minister Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabir al-Thani delivered a speech transferring the adherence of his country to support Yemen. " The directives of Emir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani say that Qatar is going to offer US $ 500 million to Yemen, part of it as loan and the other part as gift" the Qatari minister said. We think that the political and economic stability of Yemen means the stability of the Arab Gulf region, so we have to put in concern what President Saleh said that if this development plan is directed correctly and transparently, the reforms move in Yemen would come out with important results not just for Yemen, but also for all neighbouring countries, he added. The British Minister of Planning and International Development Gareth Thomas said that the UK government is ready to increase aids for Yemen up to 50 millions in 2010 to react with the Yemeni development and stable situations. He said that the UK assures its trust in Yemen in terms of making peaceful power transfer and fighting corruption. Thomas praised the steps taken by the Yemeni government in the financial and administrative reforms program, making clear that donor countries would like to be acquainted with the Yemeni reforms which would lead to reducing poverty and raising economic growth in addition to spreading education and women empowerment. He pointed out that the London Donors Conference has a major significance as it brought together the GCC states and donor countries to discuss partnership opportunities as well as to show the situation in Yemen to the international community so as to cooperate with Yemen. The London meeting, which concluded, is a good step to what Yemen is looking for and pushed Yemen's relations with the GCC states and the international community to the phase of real partnership, President Ali Abdullah Saleh said. In a press conference, President Saleh expressed thanks and appreciation to all donor countries on top of which the GCC Member states for the success of the meeting. He also expressed thank to the Vice President of World Bank (WB) Daniela Grissini and the British Minister of Planning and International Development Gareth Thomas for their active role in achieving a successful meeting as well as to all countries took part in it. The Yemeni Minister of Finance Saif al-Asali stated that the participants in the London meeting for Yemen's development agreed unanimously on the steps taken by Yemen in its reforms agenda. Beside the support to its development Yemen also gained political support which was not expected from the representatives of donor countries and funding corporations, al-Asali said. The presence of president Ali Abdullah Saleh in the meeting positively lead to the successful results and reinforced trust that the development process in Yemen would sustain in the next few years. The Yemeni Minister of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs Dr.Abu Bakr al-Qirbi described the support offered by the GCC member states in the first day of the donors conference in London as "generous". He said the aids offered reflect the deepness of brotherly ties between Yemen and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The Minister confirmed that such aids come to prove that the GCC member states realize the importance of Yemen, not only as part of the region but as a strategic partner of the GCC countries. He added that the GCC countries know the negative impacts of poverty on Yemen and the region in general. The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC) stated that the total amount the donors have donated for Yemen's development reached USD 4.7 billion. Abdul-Rahman Al-Attiyah, who took part in the Consultative Group Meeting for Yemen's development partners, said the meeting could successfully meet the requirements of development in Yemen and to qualify it for GCC membership. Al-Attiyah said in a press statement that the representatives of more than 40 countries and international organizations attended the meeting, giving surety that Yemen and the donors countries exchange great trust. "The event was a chance for trustful dialogue between donor countries and Yemen. It was successful," said Al-Attiyah. The support of the GCC forms more than 50 % of total aids offered in the meeting, Al-Attiyah said. "We will work together with Yemen to use money," he said. "Currently, we are studying an action plan to implement aspired projects on the ground." The meeting was a chance for the donors to listen to reports of the Yemeni government on its efforts in reform agenda and its development plans, he said. The United Kingdom announced that it going to increase its annual development aid to Yemen to $60 million by an increase reached 300% compared with the assistance of 2004-2005 which was not exceeded $20 million annually. The Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Abdul Karim Ismail Al Arhabi said that the total assistances for the forth coming years 2007-2010 will reach $218 million. He pointed out that the announcement of UK Government comes coincides with the hosting of Donors Conference concerning Yemen development support. The Minister revealed that the UK government confirmed that it intends to increase its assistance to Yemen to $100 million in early of 2011.