On Sunday, Yemen’s Minister of Water and Environment, Engineer Tawfiq Al-Sharjabi, met with the Dutch Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Steven Collet, to explore further support for Yemen’s water and environment sectors.
According to Yemen TV, both sides discussed various aspects of cooperation and ways to activate them during the meeting held on the sidelines of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28) in Dubai.
Al-Sharjabi expressed his appreciation for the longstanding support provided by the Netherlands to the Yemeni people in the water and environment sectors.
This support has played a crucial role in development and alleviating the humanitarian suffering resulting from climate change and the suspension of investment programs in the water and environment sectors due to the war.
Yemen’s Minister of Water and Environment highlighted the challenges his country faces due to climate change, Yemen’s needs, and the government’s vision to address climate change.
He noted that Yemen is one of the world’s most affected countries by climate change, necessitating collaborative efforts with Yemen’s partners and the establishment of local, regional, and international partnerships to implement necessary measures aimed at reducing risks and protecting citizens from climate-related disasters and water insecurity.
The meeting witnessed the signing of an agreement to finance the capacity-building of the Climate Change Unit in the ministry.
The objective is to enhance its technical capabilities in adaptation, mitigation, and report preparation. Additionally, the agreement supports Yemen in mainstreaming climate change measures and policies into sectoral government development strategies.
It also seeks to secure climate financing from operational entities under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, including the Green Climate Fund and the Adaptation Fund.