[18/11/2024 05:53]

BANKU - SABA
Minister of Water and Environment Engineer Tawfiq al-Sharjabi held discussions with Dawuda bin Omar, the Climate and Environment Director at the Islamic Development Bank, on the sidelines of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The talks focused on enhancing partnership and activating the bank's interventions in the water and environment sectors in Yemen.

The meeting reviewed projects under the National Climate Program launched by Yemen at the summit, exploring ways to implement these in collaboration with the Green Climate Fund.

They also discussed opportunities for Yemen to secure funding for seawater desalination projects in Aden and renewable energy projects to address power shortages.

Additionally, they aimed to reactivate stalled projects funded by the Islamic Development Bank since the outbreak of the war ignited by the Houthi militias, particularly the water and sanitation project in Lahij Governorate.

Both sides explored the possibility of the bank collaborating with national entities eligible for accreditation by the ministry, preparing them for direct accreditation processes from the Green Climate Fund and other funding sources, enabling them to execute externally funded projects.

During the meeting, they agreed to resume joint coordination and establish bilateral points of contact to expedite cooperation between the government and the Islamic Development Bank, in coordination with relevant stakeholders.

Bank officials expressed their satisfaction with Yemen's launch of its country program through 2030, which allows for the provision of programs and assistance based on a well-studied framework according to a comprehensive national program.

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