Saudi and Yemeni ministers yesterday pledged support for reconstruction efforts in Yemen.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and head of the kingdom’s delegation to the ministerial meeting of the Friends of Yemen in London Nizar Madani, British Foreign Secretary William Hague and Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr Al-Qirbi held a joint press conference in London at the conclusion of the meetings of the Group of Friends of Yemen at the ministerial level.
“We in fact feel a lot of optimism for the international will to help Yemen, but we are looking forward to translating this international will to steps on the ground,” Madani said.
He pointed out that the international community pledged last year $ 9.7 billion to support reconstruction efforts and political transition in Yemen. He said it is time to fulfill those promises, especially since Yemen has made significant progress since the adoption of the initiative of the GCC. The progress included forming a government of national reconciliation and launching a national dialogue to oversee the drafting of a new constitution followed by parliamentary and presidential elections.
“This process is now on track,” he said.
He added that “despite all achieved gains and accomplishments, there is still a lot of challenges and risks, and there is still much to be done, both at the level of security and economy.”
Madani called for the continuation of international support.
He said: "We talked at the meeting about the assistance provided by the Kingdom in the past five years, which exceeded $ 3 billion." The Kingdom also announced in meetings in 2012 new pledges totaling $ 3.5 billion, including a $ 1 billion as deposit in the Central Bank of Yemen to support currency stability in Yemeni in addition to the allocation of $ 1 billion and $ 750 million for financing projects and humanitarian aid as well as $ 500 million to finance and guarantee Saudi exports.
The Saudi Fund for Development contributed $ 100 million to support the electricity sector and a package of aid to finance development projects.
Madani highlighted Saudi-Yemeni cooperation in the field of fighting terrorism.
Hague said the United Kingdom is proud to play a leading role in supporting Yemen, adding that Yemen is now half-way through a peaceful transition and is on the road to full elections in 2014.
Al-Qirbi commended Saudi Arabia's generous support for Yemen.
Kingdom urges donors to fulfill Yemen aid pledges
Kingdom urges donors to fulfill Yemen aid pledges
Saudi cabinet welcomes UN resolution supporting Palestine's full membership
RIYADH: The Saudi cabinet welcomed on Tuesday the United Nations assembly's resolution supporting Palestine's full membership, the Saudi State Agency reported.
The council of ministers emphasizing the need to halt Israeli military escalations and violations against civilians and humanitarian workers.
Minister of Information, Salman bin Youssef Al-Dosari, reiterated the Kingdom's commitment to global security, active participation in international relief efforts, and advocacy for issues affecting Arab and Islamic nations.
The council also discussed the recent reception of pilgrims arriving for Hajj.
Directives were issued to maintain high standards of procedures and services at entry points in Makkah, Medina, and the Holy Sites.
The council also received a comprehensive briefing on recent diplomatic dialogues with various nations, including discussions between the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the President of Ukraine.
Saudi foreign minister calls for resuming Sudan talks
RIYADH: Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan reiterated the Kingdom’s grave concerns over an escalation in military tensions between Sudanese factions discussed the repercussions of the current situation on the Sudanese people.
The minister made his remarks while participating at the 33rd Arab League Summit held in the capital of Bahrain, Manama.
Bin Farhan urged the Sudanese warring parties to commit to a ceasefire, reiterating the Kingdom's call for the necessity of returning to dialogue.
He also called for an end of further civilian suffering and limit the aggravation of the devastating humanitarian situation.
Saudi Arabia, alongside the United States, is leading mediation efforts to urge the two military commanders to end the war.
On the Gaza war, Bin Farhan said Saudi Arabia has warned of the dangerous repercussions of the Israeli occupation forces’ widening the scope of war as part of its ongoing bloody and brutal campaign on the Gaza Strip.
He reiterated the Kingdom’s calls on the international community to intervene immediately to stop the Israeli war on Gaza.
Regarding Yemeni, Bin Farhan affirmed the Kingdom’s full support for efforts to achieve peace in Yemen, and to reach a comprehensive political solution through dialogue and consultation between the Yemeni parties, which allows the beginning of the process of economic development and recovery.
Saudi project clears 935 Houthi mines in Yemen
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam cleared 935 mines in Yemen in one week from May 4 to May 10, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
Overseen by the Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief, the project’s specialist teams destroyed 876 pieces of unexploded ordnance, 47 anti-tank mines, seven anti-personnel mines and five improvised explosive devices.
The explosives, planted by the Houthi militia across Yemen, posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.
The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.
A total of 440,067 mines have been cleared since the start of the initiative in 2018, according to Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the project’s managing director.
The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.
About 5 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the beginning of the conflict in Yemen, many of them displaced by the presence of land mines, according to the Project Masam website.
Masam teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate the safe movement of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Saudi minister attends G20 judicial meeting in Brazil
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Justice Dr. Walid Al-Samaani took part in the G20 Summit of Supreme Courts and Constitutional Courts in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from May 12-14.
Discussions focused on integrating technology, particularly AI, in justice systems, and exploring innovative technologies used by G20 courts, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The summit discussed promoting citizenship and social inclusion, climate litigation and sustainable development, and digital transformation to enhance judicial efficiency.
Meanwhile, the Family Affairs Council delegation, led by its secretary-general, Dr. Maimoonah Al-Khalil, took part in the Women’s Empowerment Working Group meeting of the G20 in Brazil from May 14-15.
The first day’s session was titled “Equality, Economic Independence and the Care Economy,” while the second session focused on “Equality and Confronting Violence and Discrimination against Women.”
The meeting will conclude on the second day with the topic “Equality and Climate Justice.”
The Family Affairs Council represents Saudi Arabia in the G20, focusing on women’s empowerment.
The Women’s Empowerment Working Group, initiated under the Indian presidency in 2023, began its work under the Brazilian presidency this year.
Saudi Arabia continues Makkah Route Initiative
- Launched in 2017 as part of Vision 2030, Initiative involves dedicated team to receive travelers
- Includes special buses to transport pilgrims comfortably on journey through Makkah and Madinah
RIYADH: The Makkah Route Initiative, implemented by the Saudi Ministry of Interior, continues to streamline pilgrims’ journeys from international airports in their own countries, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The initiative, set up to facilitate the arrival of pilgrims in the Kingdom, involves close cooperation between the ministry and various partner agencies.
Launched in 2017 as part of Vision 2030, it involves a dedicated team to receive the travelers and includes special buses to transport them safely and comfortably on their journey through Makkah and Madinah.
Services include biometrics, Hajj visas and electronic luggage coding.
