The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) organized a discussion forum today on best international practices to address development challenges. The forum occurred on the sidelines of the high-level week of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) held in New York City.
The discussion focused on the role of development in achieving peace and reviewed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's development efforts in the Republic of Yemen through SDRP. The participants included specialists, speakers, and representatives from the UN and international organizations.

The dialogue was moderated by SDRPY Director of Developmental Programs Dr. Hala Al-Saleh. Among the attendees were:
--Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
-- SDRPY Assistant Supervisor-General Engineer Hassan Al-Attas
--the permanent representative of Yemen to the United Nations, Ambassador Abdullah al-Sa'adi
--United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Assistant Secretary-General Abdallah Al Dardari
--World Bank Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa Region Ousmane Dione
--Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) Deputy Chief Executive Eng. Faisal Al-Qahtani
--United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) Senior Director Andre Dzikus.

The forum praised the Kingdom's past and present support for Yemen and its crucial role in the country's development and reconstruction in collaboration with the Yemeni government and international partners. It also discussed SDRPY's working methods and principles.
The forum emphasized the importance of bilateral and multilateral cooperation in development programs, focusing on areas such as promoting renewable and sustainable energy. It stressed the significance of integrating, updating, and utilizing data to achieve development goals.
Forum participants discussed various topics to provide a comprehensive understanding of the development assistance provided to Yemen, its effectiveness, and the obstacles hindering sustainable development. Effective solutions and strategies to overcome these challenges and facilitate sustainable progress were also reviewed.
The forum concluded with several recommendations emphasizing the critical importance of coordinating and unifying development and humanitarian efforts. It highlighted the need for strategic and effective investments in solutions and approaches aimed at addressing development challenges. The forum emphasized the importance of unifying and coordinating development and humanitarian efforts, overcoming difficulties and challenges that hinder progress in sustainable development, and developing effective solutions and approaches to address them. It also stressed the importance of supporting aspirations for a promising and bright future.
The Kingdom has been a leader in providing development and humanitarian support to Yemen through its various development and relief efforts. The projects and initiatives of SDRPY are a continuation of Saudi Arabia's longstanding support for development in Yemen.

The forum is part of SDRPY's efforts to strengthen bilateral relations, exchange knowledge and expertise, and develop solutions to address future challenges. It aims to update concerned parties on the latest developments in the program and its projects in the key sectors of education, health, energy, transportation, water, agriculture and fisheries, development programs, and support for the Yemeni government's capacities.