Sanaa: The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor organized a commemorative event on Sunday to mark the International Day of Cooperatives, under the theme "Cooperatives: Sustainable Solutions for Building a Better Future," in collaboration with partners engaged in cooperative and developmental work.
According to Yemen News Agency, the First Deputy Prime Minister, Scholar Mohammed Muftah, highlighted the significance of cooperative efforts in nation-building across various sectors, including agriculture, industry, education, construction, and development. He emphasized the importance of embedding cooperation as a cultural, religious, and civilizational principle, while also advocating for the legal, moral, and ethical regulation of cooperative activities.
Muftah underscored Yemen's inherent cooperative spirit, citing examples such as the transformation of mountains into agricultural terraces, which have substantially increased the country's arable land. He proposed organizing a conference aimed at activating cooperative efforts to yield practical outcomes aligned with advancing human development.
The event also addressed historical and contemporary challenges, drawing parallels between past tragedies and current issues in Gaza, stressing the necessity of cooperative action to address these challenges effectively.
Mohammed Al-Durra, Deputy Head of the Shura Council, was present, alongside Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Administration and Rural Development Mohammed Al-Madani, who praised the Ministry's dedication to enhancing cooperative work. Al-Madani emphasized the social and economic contributions of cooperative associations and the importance of documenting and developing cooperative initiatives, particularly in light of ongoing challenges.
Dr. Ali Sheiban, Minister of Health and Environment, and Fahd Al-Azzi, Deputy Director of the Presidential Office, attended the event. Samir Bajjalah, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, noted the event's timing with Ashura, advocating for unity and cooperation in overcoming present challenges.
Ali Al-Razami, Deputy Minister of Social Affairs for Development, highlighted the need for collaboration among partners to position cooperatives as a cornerstone of societal and economic advancement. He discussed initiatives such as workshops, a model system for cooperatives, and the establishment of a comprehensive database.
Mubarak Al-Qaili, Head of the Cooperative and Agricultural Union, stressed cooperatives' crucial role in development and crisis response, urging associations to capitalize on opportunities to activate their roles despite existing challenges.