Sana'a: A workshop held in Sana'a, organized by the International Cooperation Sector of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, reviewed the plans of government entities funded by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for the years 2025-2026.
According to Yemen News Agency, the workshop was attended by representatives from various ministries and government institutions, a UNICEF delegation, and several technical experts. It aimed to enhance institutional coordination and participatory planning between the government and UNICEF by reviewing previous programs, presenting upcoming funding plans, identifying challenges, and formulating practical recommendations to improve performance.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Ismail Al-Mutawakel, Deputy Foreign Minister for International Cooperation, described the workshop as a strategic turning point in the partnership with UNICEF. He emphasized that the meeting serves as a platform for collective thinking and joint future planning, with hopes that the workshop's outcomes would result in a unified vision aligned with current priorities.
Ambassador Al-Mutawakel highlighted the Foreign Ministry's commitment to strengthening formal coordination with international organizations to ensure program alignment with national policies and avoid duplication. He also stressed the importance of establishing a joint monitoring and evaluation mechanism and boosting donor confidence by adhering to transparency standards.
Mioh Nemoto, Deputy Resident Representative of UNICEF in Yemen, expressed appreciation for the ongoing cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant ministries. He pointed to Yemen's escalating humanitarian challenges, including malnutrition, disease outbreaks, and deteriorating basic service infrastructure. Nemoto stated that UNICEF's current response focuses on sustaining primary healthcare services, treating acute malnutrition cases, and providing cash assistance to the most vulnerable families.
Meanwhile, Murtada Al-Murtada from the Ministry of Health and Environment presented an analytical overview of UNICEF's interventions in the health sector. Abdulrahman Al-Araby of the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research outlined upcoming priorities, such as rehabilitating damaged schools and providing water and energy services. He affirmed efforts to increase school enrollment, reduce dropout rates, and train educational staff while highlighting plans to activate technical and vocational education and update curricula to meet labor market demands.