[24/06/2026 05:56]

ADEN – SABA
Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Dr. Afrah al-Zouba met Wednesday here with the Japanese Ambassador to Yemen, Yunichi Nakashima.

The two parties discussed ways to enhance cooperation and coordination between the two sides and continue the provision of technical and economic support.

The meeting addressed available opportunities for developing and implementing future projects, as well as support in humanitarian and development fields in line with the government’s priorities and plans. The discussions also covered the current economic, humanitarian, and development situation in Yemen, along with the government’s development plan.

Minister al-Zouba reviewed the priorities and objectives of the Economic and Social Plan and Reconstruction Plan for the years 2027–2029, which the government is preparing as a national framework for development and investment projects.

She expressed the government’s aspiration to benefit from Japanese expertise in the areas of planning, reconstruction, and post-crisis recovery.

The minister praised Japan’s continued support over the past years, particularly in the fields of food security, education, health, and capacity building.

She called for studying the gradual return of direct Japanese interventions and establishing a joint working mechanism that would allow development projects to be implemented through national institutions such as the Social Fund for Development and the Public Works Project.

Minister al-Zouba emphasized the importance of benefiting from Japanese interventions in projects with significant development impact, including infrastructure, energy, transportation, and reconstruction sectors, in addition to strengthening national institutions and enhancing economic resilience. She noted Yemen’s need for sustainable development investments, reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with Japan and expanding areas of cooperation in a way that contributes to supporting economic recovery efforts and achieving sustainable development.

For his part, the Japanese Ambassador affirmed Japan’s continued support for Yemen and its assistance to government efforts in the development and humanitarian fields.

He also stressed the continuation of coordination with development partners to support national priorities and enhance opportunities for recovery and stability, while praising the ongoing cooperation with the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation.

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