UAE pledges $1 billion to restore Yemen’s electricity, improve public services, and support long-term development, reinforcing humanitarian, economic, and consular cooperation between Abu Dhabi and Sana’a…reports Asian Lite News
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pledged $1 billion to support electricity and energy projects across Yemen, aiming to restore the war-torn country’s fragile power infrastructure. The announcement came on Wednesday following a meeting in Aden between Rashad Al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, and UAE Ambassador Mohamed Hamad Al Zaabi.
The discussions reaffirmed Abu Dhabi’s commitment to helping rebuild Yemen’s battered electricity network, which has suffered from decades of chronic outages. Southern provinces such as Aden often face blackouts lasting up to 12 hours a day, leaving millions dependent on private generators and small-scale solar systems for basic electricity needs.
First National Energy Conference
The pledge coincided with the First National Energy Conference in Aden, which brought together government officials, international investors, and renewable energy experts to explore long-term solutions for Yemen’s energy crisis. Delegates discussed strategies to stabilise the national grid, attract financing, and implement reforms to ensure sustainable energy delivery across the country, according to state-run Saba News Agency, cited by Xinhua.
Yemen’s electricity sector has been crippled by the ongoing civil war that erupted in late 2014 when Houthi forces seized large parts of the north, including the capital, Sanaa. The conflict has devastated infrastructure, disrupted transport and markets, and weakened state institutions, compounding the country’s humanitarian crisis.
Humanitarian and economic crisis worsens
The prolonged conflict has driven a severe economic downturn, causing widespread inflation and depleting household incomes. Essential goods, including food and medicine, have become increasingly unaffordable, forcing many families to sell personal belongings to survive. With millions facing extreme food insecurity, the UAE’s investment in energy infrastructure is seen as a crucial step toward alleviating some of the humanitarian pressure.
Reliable electricity is central not only for households but also for hospitals, schools, water treatment plants, and businesses. By supporting power projects, the UAE aims to stabilise Yemen’s basic services and create conditions conducive to economic recovery.
Consular cooperation
In a parallel development, the UAE and Yemen convened the first meeting of the Joint Consular Committee at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The UAE delegation was led by Omar Obaid Alhesan Alshamsi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while Yemen was represented by Awsan Abdullah Ahmed Al-Aud, Undersecretary for Financial and Administrative Affairs.
The meeting focused on strengthening consular coordination, improving services for citizens of both countries, and exploring cooperation in education, health, and international judicial matters. Several UAE government entities participated, including the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security, the Ministry of Interior, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), and the Ministries of Education and Higher Education. Yemeni counterparts from various ministries were also present.
Alshamsi highlighted the deep-rooted and longstanding relations between the UAE and Yemen, describing the meeting as “pivotal in establishing a new phase of consular cooperation that promotes expertise exchange, broadens partnership horizons, and creates opportunities for development and prosperity for both nations.”
The UAE’s $1 billion commitment is a landmark contribution to Yemen’s energy sector, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s dual focus on humanitarian relief and long-term development. By stabilising electricity services, the UAE aims to help Yemen’s citizens regain a sense of normalcy, restore essential public services, and support private sector recovery.
The investment also underscores the UAE’s broader diplomatic and humanitarian role in the region, highlighting the country’s commitment to working alongside Yemeni authorities and international partners to address pressing development and security challenges.
As Yemen continues to grapple with conflict, political instability, and economic hardship, the UAE’s pledge represents a concrete step toward mitigating suffering and laying the groundwork for sustainable energy and economic development.
