[21/05/2025 12:30]

ADEN - SABA
Minister of Water and Environment Engineer Tawfiq al-Sharjab discussed Wednesday with the Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Yemen explore ways to expedite the implementation of joint environmental and climate projects, and to enhance coordination and follow-up mechanisms to ensure effective performance and achieve national and international goals.

The Minister emphasized the need to accelerate procedures related to implementing several vital projects, led by the National Communication Project.

He highlighted the importance of this project as a fundamental pillar for preparing the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which must be submitted before the upcoming climate conference.

Minister al-Sharjabi pointed to the ongoing delays in the Low Emission Clean Development Strategy project, despite more than a year having passed since its approval and the arrival of the first financial tranche from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) eight months ago, without the completion of the technical team’s appointment.

He stressed the necessity of immediately starting the implementation of the newly approved National Adaptation Plan, in coordination with the ministry team to avoid repeating administrative and technical delays.

Regarding the GEF-08 project, the minister clarified that the Climate Change and Urban Cities Unit has completed the preparation of Terms of Reference (TORs) and published the necessary announcements. Contracting with experts is expected to begin next week.

He affirmed the need to take several measures to ensure effective project implementation, including establishing independent working units for each project managed by separate teams, to avoid task accumulation and delays in completion.

The Minister underscored the importance of holding regular periodic meetings, whether weekly or biweekly, between the ministry teams and the UNDP to monitor progress and discuss updates, while fully committing to the previously agreed-upon coordination and implementation mechanisms, ensuring the presence of local experts within the ministry under the supervision of the national team and project managers to ensure smooth workflow.

For her part, the Deputy Resident Representative of the UNDP in Yemen confirmed the program's commitment to continue effective cooperation with the Ministry of Water and Environment, working to overcome challenges and expedite project implementation to enhance Yemen's capabilities in facing climate and environmental challenges.

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