RIYADH, May 10 (KUNA) -- Saudi Arabia on Wednesday hosted a preliminary meeting on efforts to rebuild Yemen, with Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmad Obeid bin Daghr in attendance.
The meeting in the Saudi capital has been called to examine whether regional and global organizations are ready to face the herculean task of rebuilding a nation battered by years of war.
In a speech to open the meeting, Saudi Finance Minister Mohammad Al-Jadaan underlined genuine commitment and an earnest desire to help the Yemeni people.
He also said that he was sanguine that the meeting would help align views in regards to what needs to be done to address worsening food security in Yemen, adding that long-term goals need to be set to rebuild the impoverished nation.
Meanwhile, the World Bank Group's (WBG) Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa Hafez Ghanem said that he was elated that the international community is resolved to restore prosperity in Yemen.
Similarly, Yemen's Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Dr. Mohammad Al-Saadi thanked Saudi Arabia and all nations that have provided aid to his country in this critical juncture.
The Yemeni minister also lamented the political and security conditions in Yemen, saying they have been on a downward spiral since 2015.
The meeting brought together senior officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as well as regional and international financial organizations. (end) mdm.nam