Barran Press
In a statement delivered at the opening session of the 79th United Nations General Assembly, Rashad Al-Alimi, the President of the Presidential Leadership Council, emphasized that Yemen's priorities differ significantly from those of many peaceful and stable nations. His remarks came in light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by the decade-long Houthi conflict.
Al-Alimi reiterated Yemen’s commitment to global solidarity, mutual respect, and close cooperation among nations. He described the past decade as marked by immense suffering and challenges stemming from the Iranian-backed Houthi war, which has left Yemen facing one of the world's largest humanitarian crises.
“The war has caused widespread devastation across all aspects of life and hindered Yemen's ability to meet its commitments related to the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development,” he stated. Despite these overwhelming challenges, he noted the resilience and determination of the Yemeni people in their pursuit of a better future.
He attributed part of this resilience to the steadfastness of Yemeni men and women in confronting the militias, alongside the ongoing support from the Saudi-led coalition, as well as regional and international partners, including the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
Al-Alimi highlighted successful collaborations with Starlink to provide satellite internet services in Yemen, noting that the country is now a regional leader in this technology. He explained that this service will enhance information exchange and enable youth to access remote education, thereby protecting them from extremist recruitment.
“We are fighting on three fronts,” he declared. “First, we confront the projects of violence, extremism, and backwardness rooted in the past. Second, we work to repair the severe damage caused by the war in our daily lives. Third, we strive to keep pace with the future, believing that the generations born in conflict deserve better opportunities for peace, prosperity, and development.”
Al-Alimi also mentioned that the Presidential Leadership Council and the internationally recognized government have been working for two years to align with the Future Summit agenda, focusing on enhancing technological rights and empowering women and youth. He pointed to ambitious capacity-building programs launched in Aden and a conference held in Taiz.
“Despite the impact of war and the financial crisis exacerbated by the Houthi attacks on oil facilities, we are achieving remarkable resilience with the support of our brothers, fulfilling essential commitments and advancing quality projects that ensure some level of sustainability,” he added.
Earlier on September 21, Rashad Al-Alimi, along with council members Aidarus Al-Zubaidi and Othman Majli, arrived in New York to participate in the high-level Future Summit organized by the United Nations. They will also attend the upcoming meetings of the UN General Assembly.
Yemen continues to face severe humanitarian and economic challenges due to the ongoing conflict that began with the Houthis' seizure of the capital, Sana'a, on September 21, 2014.