The First National Energy Conference Convenes in Aden

The first National Energy Conference in Yemen convened under the patronage of Prime Minister Salem bin Brik, with broad official and international participation. Among the attendees were Sarhan bin Munikhir, Head of the Gulf Cooperation Council Mission to Yemen; Mohammed Al Zaabi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Yemen; Dina Abu Ghaida, Country Director of the World Bank in Yemen; Engineer Ahmed Al Madkhali, Director of the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen; and a number of ambassadors and diplomats. Also present were representatives from the General Investment Authority and several government agencies and investors in the energy sector.

The conference served as an important national platform to discuss Yemen’s urgent and strategic energy needs, given the accumulated challenges the country has faced in this vital sector for years.

During the opening session, Prime Minister Salem bin Breik delivered a speech in which he expressed his appreciation for the generous support provided by the United Arab Emirates. He announced a $1 billion Emirati grant to the energy sector, encompassing the liberated governorates. He emphasized that Yemen’s energy sector suffers from a significant deficit and that the announced projects represent a genuine step towards finding radical and sustainable solutions to the electricity crisis. He declared 2026 to be the year of electricity.

The Prime Minister also commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s continued support for the Yemeni government, particularly in providing petroleum derivatives to ensure the continued operation of power plants and improve service levels.

For his part, the UAE Ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed Al Zaabi, announced a package of strategic energy sector projects worth $1 billion. These projects, located in Aden and several other liberated governorates, include the development of electricity infrastructure through sustainable and alternative energy projects.

Ali Al Shammari, CEO of the UAE-based GSU, stated that an economy without a stable energy supply cannot grow, and energy projects without partnerships based on commitment and perseverance cannot expand. He emphasized that this is what they are focused on in their partnership with their Yemeni partners—a partnership that builds real capacity for the sector and paves the way for larger and more sustainable projects.

In the same vein, the World Bank Country Director for Yemen, in her address, commended the UAE’s efforts and its leading role in supporting the Yemeni economy, particularly the energy sector. She affirmed the World Bank’s readiness to contribute to the development of this sector, which will ultimately improve services for citizens.

For his part, the Minister of Electricity and Energy, Engineer Maneh Bin Yamin, affirmed that the message of the First National Energy Conference is clear, and that they are confident in the support of their brothers, friends, and the World Bank for the energy sector in Yemen. He praised the pivotal role of Emirati support in advancing these vital projects and the transition to clean energy.

The Minister of Electricity also expressed his appreciation for the support provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to the energy sector through the provision of fuel and the construction of power plants. Following the opening session, attendees toured the National Energy Exhibition, organized by the conference committee, which featured local and international companies specializing in clean and renewable energy technologies. The exhibition showcased the latest innovations and technological solutions in the sector.

The first National Energy Conference marked a pivotal moment, ushering in a new era of service improvement and development. It contributed to enhancing the electricity situation, alleviating the suffering of citizens, strengthening Yemen’s commitment to clean and sustainable energy, attracting investment in a strategic sector that impacts the daily lives of the people, and supporting economic and service stability in the liberated governorates.

The event was held from November 26-27, 2025, at the Aden Mall.