RIYADH — The World Bank deliberated on the methods adopted by the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) in completing projects without disruption against all odds in the war-ravaged country during a virtual meeting on Thursday. The meeting held by the World Bank was attended by major donors and international organizations, including SDPRY, operating in Yemen alongside the representatives of the Yemeni government. The global financial institution reviewed the efforts of international institutions in development, reconstruction, and economic recovery in Yemen. It also discussed measures taken to mitigate the negative effects of the coronavirus pandemic on Yemeni economy, health and society, Saudi Press Agency reported. The meeting was a series of periodic meetings as part of the World Bank's efforts to promote international prosperity, strengthen capabilities and confront dilemmas facing business by discussing the most important methods that can help address them. The meeting covered the most important updates of Yemen's political, humanitarian and economic affairs, reviewing the country's preparedness to confront the outbreak of the pandemic. It urged international organizations to prioritize its work to stand with Yemen in confronting the pandemic. The meeting was opened with a speech by the country manager for the World Bank in Yemen Raja Bentaouet Kattan. The World Bank reviewed everything that Yemen's economy faces due to the current circumstances. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Resident Representative in Yemen, Auke Lootsma, reviewed at the end of the meeting the framework of the United Nations and its social and economic response to the coronavirus pandemic. Participants in the meeting also commended Saudi Arabia for hosting Yemen's Donor Conference for Yemen, which will be attended by the representative of the United Nations, on June 2, 2020, calling it as one of the most important measures to overcome the obstacles facing Yemen.
