LocationsKnowledge sharing boosts services provided by local authorities in Yemen
October 22, 2024
From September 8 to 13, 2024, the coastal city of Mukalla in Hadramout Governorate hosted an exchange visit as part of the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Strengthening Institutional and Economic Resilience in Yemen (SIERY) Project. The initiative aimed to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing among local authorities. Representatives from five governorates—Aden, Taiz, Hadramout, Marib, and Lahj—came together to enhance institutional resilience through experience sharing and a best practices exchange, fostering a collaborative learning environment for local development. This five-day programme facilitated meaningful discussions, practical learning, and built relationships that will continue to benefit these governorates in the years ahead.
Networking towards shared solutions
Participants from Aden, Taiz, Hadramout, Marib, and Lahj during the opening of the exchange programme in Mukalla.
Mr. Nabil Jamel, Director General of the Planning Office in Taiz, shares his excitement about attending the exchange: "This was an opportunity for us in Taiz. We really want to benefit from what has been accomplished in other governorates, especially since Taiz is still experiencing challenges from the conflict."
The exchange programme encompassed ten areas of expertise, allowing participants to explore a broad range of challenges and solutions. These included planning and evaluation, capacity development, revenue management, statistical data management, project monitoring and evaluation, tendering processes, improving cleaning fund vehicle tracking, education delivery, electricity production, and security management with online archiving systems. This wide scope enriched the discussions and equipped participants with diverse tools for local governance and sustainable development.
Participants shared their experiences and best practices in their respective fields, providing valuable insights and lessons learned. For example, the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MoPIC)’s office from Taiz shared their approach to recovery and district resilience planning, while the Research and Training Department showcased their capacity development assessment methodology. The exchange visit fostered a collaborative environment where participants could network, build relationships, and explore opportunities for joint initiatives.
Local authority representatives from Hadramout and Aden (left) and from Hadramout and Taiz (right) discuss strategies for local economic development during a workshop session.
Dr. Nabil Jamel reflected on the value of practical experiences: "We found more than we expected... learning about the digital transformation project in Hadramout and how they automated procedures within the cleaning fund will save us time and effort in Taiz."
He added, "The practical aspects we saw will allow us to return and implement similar initiatives in Taiz."
Field visits: Ground-level insights in action
The exchange visit programme included field visits to several public offices in Hadramout, such as the governor's office and the general office of education. These visits provided participants with firsthand insights into the challenges and successes of local initiatives in Hadramout. For example, participants learned about the second phase of the urban expansion project design for Al-Mukalla City, the data and statistical department's ICT systems, and the education office's efforts to manage central exams, print curricula, and integrate new technologies into the education system.
Before kicking off the field visits, the Governor of Hadramout, Mr. Mabkhout bin Madi, encouraged participants to exchange knowledge and skills and share their experiences to benefit all governorates. He also urged the representatives from Hadramout to share their experiences externally and seek feedback to improve their practices.
Meeting with the Governor of Hadramout, Mr. Mabkhoot bin Madhi, in his office.
Dr. Hisham Al-Saqqaf, Director General of the Planning and International Cooperation Office in Lahj, shares: "Seeing the projects implemented in Hadramout, especially the second phase of the Khor Al Mukalla project, was inspiring. It made me realize the potential of partnerships with the private sector and what we can achieve in Lahj."
The field visits allowed participants to witness firsthand the progress made in Hadramout and gather insights on local governance projects.
Participants examine a model of Mukalla’s future development for the second phase of the Khor Al Mukalla Project.
Participants during a visit to the General Administration of Information, Statistics and Documentation.
A glimpse of Hadramout’s heritage
The local authorities in Hadramout wanted to leave a lasting impression on the visitors. Dr. Marina Al-Juhi, Director General of the Department of Development Research and Training in the Coast of Hadramout, explains: "Offering coffee and dates to our guests is one of the traditional hospitality etiquettes in Hadramout. We wanted colleagues from other governorates to feel the warmth of our culture."
Coffee and dates served in the cultural corner during the first day of the exchange programme.
Children dressed in the traditional Hadrami style, receiving the participants with fragrant incense.
Building lasting relationships
The exchange visit provided an opportunity for the participants to build professional connections.
Dr. Nabil explains: "We met people we consider peers in work, and this programme allowed us to build stronger relationships. We exchanged ideas, and when I return to Taiz, we will submit recommendations based on the experiences we’ve seen here."
A collective vision for the future
A group photo of the participants after conducting a field visit to the governmentcomplex in Mukalla.
Dr. Hisham of Lahj summarizes his experience: "We have benefitted greatly from these discussions. Our next step is to activate our research and training department in Lahj, inspired by what we saw from Taiz and Hadramout . This will be a significant step in the development of our governorate."
Dr. Aziz emphasizes the importance of sustainability in long-term development during discussions.
Dr. Aziz Abdulrahman Al-Adimi, Director General of Administrative Development Research and Training Unit in Taiz, points out: "One of the key takeaways from this exchange is the necessity of thinking beyond immediate recovery. Sustainable development requires long-term planning, especially in areas like infrastructure, education, and resource management. We need to ensure that the projects we implement today will benefit future generations, not just address the challenges of the moment."
Eshtiaq Mohammed Saad shares insights on leadership and resilience in local governance.
Eshtiaq Mohammed Saad, a representative from Aden’s Governorate Office, emphasizes the importance of long-term vision in the face of challenges: "What struck me most during this exchange programme is that despite the hardships and obstacles, progress is possible if you maintain patience and determination. Governance is not just about solving today's problems—it's about having a clear vision for tomorrow and the will to achieve it, no matter what the difficulties are."
***
The Strengthening Institutional and Economic Resilience in Yemen (SIERY) Project, funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), focuses on strengthening the capacity of local authorities to provide key public services while promoting economic empowerment and recovery throughout Yemen. Through initiatives that encourage knowledge sharing, collaborative governance, and institutional resilience, SIERY is helping to drive sustainable development and foster long-term stability and economic growth in the Yemen.
Related
content
content
