[14/06/2026 05:40]

ADEN – SABA
The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Dr. Shaya Zindani inaugurated Sunday in the temporary capital Aden, the proceedings of the National Conference on Partnership and Integration Between the Government and Local Authorities.

The three-day conference is being held under the theme: “Towards Decentralized Governance and Sustainable Institutional Empowerment.”

In his opening speech, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister affirmed that the conference does not aim to draw boundaries between the central authority and local administrations, but rather to establish a more effective and integrated relationship that places serving citizens at the forefront of priorities.

He explained that the current battle, following years of war ignited by the terrorist Houthi militia, is not limited to completing the restoration of state institutions, but also extends to building a more efficient and effective state.

He noted that some of the challenges are not related solely to a lack of resources, but rather to how they are managed, and are not due to insufficient capabilities, but to how powers and responsibilities are distributed and how available tools are utilized in the best possible manner.

“We inherited a highly centralized administrative model that made many simple decisions hostage to complex procedures. At the same time, some governorates moved toward exploiting exceptional circumstances to bypass the state’s laws and financial and administrative regulations,” he said.

Dr. Zindani stressed that granting flexibility to local authorities aims to facilitate citizens’ lives and accelerate development, but it does not in any way mean creating independent islands or entities outside the framework of the state.

He pointed out that the mechanism governing the work of authorities at all levels exists to serve people and overcome obstacles, not to legitimize violations or circumvent the authority of the law.

The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister emphasized that the strength of any local authority is measured by its commitment to law, transparency, and institutional governance as pillars of good governance and combating corruption.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to moving from “managing details” to “managing public policies,” and stated that strict measures will be taken against those who violate systems and laws, whether at the central or local level.

Regarding financial matters, Dr. Zindani reiterated that collecting resources is not merely a matter of “revenue collection,” but rather a social contract aimed at directing public funds toward development. He pledged to regulate revenue sources and ensure that they are directed toward tangible projects that directly affect citizens’ daily lives in sectors such as electricity, water, health, and education. He noted that citizens no longer accept the exchange of excuses or the loss of their rights amid overlapping jurisdictions.

He also conveyed a message to international organizations and partners, affirming that supporting local authorities is a direct investment in stability, recovery, and state-building, and that the success of any local project directly contributes to strengthening the resilience of the state.

The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister concluded his speech by calling on conference participants to demonstrate courage and realism in presenting ideas and practical solutions to existing imbalances within the framework of the constitution.
He pledged that the government would be the true supporter of every local authority that proves its competence and integrity in serving society.

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