Rationale
Understanding the complex and interrelated dynamics of the conflict that shape the reality on the ground in Yemen is essential to finding sustainable solutions. Yemeni actors hold the knowledge and the answers to the conflict. Therefore, decisions on the future of Yemen must be taken by Yemeni actors and build on the diversity of Yemeni perspectives.
As a response, the Yemen International Forum is convened as a space for Yemeni actors and stakeholders to share their perspectives, visions, and goals. The Forum is designed as an ongoing process of Yemeni-led consultations, which include, but is not limited to, the international Forum that will be held on an annual basis.
The United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Yemen has called for and initiated a more inclusive and participatory process towards a Yemeni led long-term approach to peacebuilding in Yemen. The Forum thus aims to build on this momentum by offering a complementary Yemeni-led platform for peace initiatives in Yemen.
The inaugural 2022 Yemen International Forum will be hosted by the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies in cooperation with the Folke Bernadotte Academy and with the support of the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Stockholm, Sweden, 17 -19 June 2022.
Objectives
The main objectives of the Yemen International Forum are to
broaden the understanding of the complex and interrelated dynamics of the conflict in Yemen and the Yemeni context;
help widen the scope of peace efforts and ensure that Yemen and Yemenis are at the centre of the conversation on peace in the country;
provide an opportunity to address the most crucial issues for Yemen through formal and informal dialogues, roundtable discussions and in-depth conversations to support and strengthen peace efforts.
Process
The Forum will offer a platform for Yemenis to interact and think collectively during formal discussions, informal dialogues, expert-led conversations around different thematic areas as well as discrete, in-depth conversations.
Six thematic files have been identified that reflect crucial issues for sustainable peace in Yemen:
pathways to political settlements, including discussions on local perspectives on mediation efforts, effective trust-building measures, how to address bottlenecks and advance political negotiations, and ways to incorporate contributions of unrepresented groups;
political life beyond the settlement, focusing on the role of political parties and civil society activism, including trade unions, youth and women’s groups, during and after conflict,
the Southern file, touching on aspects such as governance and autonomy models, south-south dialogue, and southern perspectives on local and national priorities;
approaches to addressing reconciliation and post-war grievances and injustice, including Yemeni perspectives on reconciliation and justice, and a look into the potential role of traditional tools and local mechanisms for national reconciliation;
economic recovery, including possible approaches to monetary de-escalation and re-unification/coordination, post-conflict economic recovery and exploring mechanisms to overcome economic bottlenecks; and
approaches to security, including discussions on security and military arrangements in relation to the political settlement, the integration of fighters and normalization of civilian life, and the options for post-conflict security and military governance.
These thematic files will be discussed in dedicated working sessions with Yemeni and international experts.
The agendas for the thematic sessions will be informed by a broad consultative process held ahead of the conference, ensuring that the discussions are well delineated and focused on current challenges and opportunities. In addition, the Forum will provide a space for informal dialogues among Yemeni stakeholders and between Yemeni and international partners.
Participants
To achieve the aim of providing a Yemeni-led platform, the vast majority of participants in the Forum will be Yemeni actors ranging from a broad spectrum of society representing different political and geographical affiliations, ensuring a broad representation of different Yemeni views, perspectives and ideas
The forum will include Yemeni political and economic stakeholders, key policymakers, mediators, women groups, subject matter experts, representatives of minority groups, civil society actors and journalists.
In addition, a selected group of key regional and international actors will be invited to attend the Forum, including members of the diplomatic community, policymakers, independent experts, and organisations working on mediation support and conflict resolution.
Participants will attend by invitation only and based on outreach and the outcome of the thematic consultations.
Outcome
The Yemen International Forum 2022 aims to achieve tangible results on how to meaningfully include and build on local knowledge and Yemeni perspectives in the efforts for peace in the long-term. Thus, the process aims to generate new ideas and perspectives for efforts to address the conflict in Yemen.
As an informal meeting-place, it will provide an opportunity to think collectively towards creating new pathways to address the conflict and provide a conducive environment for direct and uncensored conversations among a wide range of stakeholders.
The outcomes of the thematic sessions will be documented and made available to relevant and interested stakeholders, including the UN Special Envoy as well as Yemeni and regional and international partners as policy briefs and recommendations.
Venue and practical arrangements
The Forum will be convened at a secure and neutral location on the outskirts of Stockholm, providing a safe and enabling environment for both confidential dialogues as well as broader conversations and technical roundtables.
To ensure confidentiality and to provide a secure and safe environment, only participants of the conference will have access to the premises for the duration of the Forum. Accommodation for all participants has been secured at the venue. Specific COVID safety measures will be in place to minimize the risk for all participants.
For all Yemeni participants, travel arrangements, ground transportation and accommodation with full board for the duration of the conference will be covered and organised.
More detailed information, including visa arrangements, will be provided to invitees in due course.