The "Yemen in International Media Narratives" conference commenced in Istanbul on Thursday, November 28, 2024, organized by the Al-Mokha Center for Strategic Studies. The event is attended by Yemen's Ambassador to Turkey, Mohammed Saleh Tariq.

According to the Anadolu Agency, the two-day conference focuses on Yemen's portrayal in various global narratives and aims to explore new narratives surrounding the country. It features discussions on historical readings of Yemeni events, the British media's representation of Yemen, and the European Union's role in the Yemeni crisis.

Additional topics include the international media narrative on migration and displacement in Yemen, as well as coverage from Russian and Chinese media regarding the crisis. The conference will also address the impact of United Nations decisions on the Yemeni situation.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Tariq expressed hope that the conference would produce outcomes that would aid the Yemeni government's efforts, thanking attendees for their participation and emphasizing the need to convey the realities of Yemen to the world.

Al-Mokha Center President Atak Jarallah stated that the goal is to cultivate relationships with other societies to establish a Yemeni state capable of upholding human rights and sovereignty. He cautioned that the complexity of the Yemeni conflict and global distractions have pushed Yemen into obscurity, adversely affecting daily life.

Jarallah outlined the conference's objective to examine the narratives of the Yemeni conflict as perceived by various countries, including connections to the Russian-Ukrainian war and other international crises. The conference sessions are designed to present a more accurate portrayal of the situation in Yemen, with a focus on fostering open discussions.

During the first session, former European Parliament member Konstantin Ivanov highlighted the need for the EU to correct the public narrative surrounding Yemen, emphasizing that the public often receives fragmented information about the humanitarian crisis and conflicts.

British-Yemeni writer Anwar Al-Ansi noted that UK media focus primarily on disasters resulting from the war and questioned whether Yemen would receive sustained attention in Britain amidst global distractions.

Simona Fernandez, President of the Italian Peace Organization, stressed the importance of gathering information from civil society organizations rather than solely relying on media and political reports.

German academic Gunther Orth remarked on the lack of awareness in Germany regarding Yemen's governance and expressed concern over the cessation of development efforts in the country, noting Germany's current passive role.