Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Dr. Afrah Al-Zouba, met today with Chris Bold, Head of the International Financial Institutions Department at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), to discuss ways to strengthen the economic and development partnership between the two friendly countries and explore opportunities to deepen cooperation with international financial institutions in the coming period.

The meeting reviewed the latest developments in the Government of Yemen’s engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group, including progress under the IMF’s Staff-Monitored Program (SMP)and the preparation of the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) between the Government and the World Bank for 2026–2030. Discussions also highlighted the importance of maintaining support for essential sectors, particularly health.

The two sides further discussed the importance of strengthening Yemen’s economic resilience to regional and global shocks, enhancing preparedness and response mechanisms, and exploring opportunities for cooperation with the United Kingdom during its upcoming G20 Presidency next year, particularly in ways that could advance support for fragile countries, including Yemen.

During the meeting, Dr. Al-Zouba expressed the Yemeni government’s appreciation for the United Kingdom’s continued support. She outlined the government’s priorities under its reform programme, including economic and fiscal reforms, improving basic public services, strengthening institutional capacity, creating a more attractive environment for investment, and expanding partnerships with local authorities.

The Minister also stressed the importance of sequencing reforms appropriately and implementing reform packages at the right pace to protect the most vulnerable groups. She emphasized the need for the timely disbursement of approved financing to sustain the reform agenda and reinforce its credibility among both citizens and international partners.

For his part, the UK official welcomed the new government’s commitment to advancing its reform programme and reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s interest in hearing directly from the Government of Yemen about its vision for the next phase and the challenges it faces.

Chris Bold reiterated the United Kingdom’s support for the Government of Yemen’s reform agenda and its engagement with international financial institutions. He also expressed the UK’s readiness to explore additional support for priority sectors and to work with regional and international partners to advance Yemen’s recovery and long-term stability.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to organize follow-up technical discussions between the International Financial Institutions teams at the FCDO and the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, in coordination with the British Embassy to Yemen, to ensure the effective implementation of the meeting’s outcomes and maintain regular consultations on issues of mutual interest.