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The Hague, Netherlands – The second Yemen International Forum (YIF) came to a close on June 15, after four days of dialogue and workshops featuring a diverse group of local and international actors. The conference, hosted by the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies, is the largest of its kind, and welcomed more than two hundred and fifty delegates to address numerous issues related to the ongoing conflict in Yemen and pathways to an inclusive, just, and sustainable peace. The final day included sessions on transitional justice, economic reform, political transformation, and southern priorities, capping a comprehensive program examining transformative solutions to the country’s protracted crises.

Thanking participants for their valuable contributions to the conference, often after making a long and difficult trip, Waleed Alhariri, the Director of the Yemen International Forum, noted the diversity of the conference and its commitment to the underrepresented groups who lack a place at the table. “This forum was designed based on the aspirations of the Yemeni people, because the people of Yemen know its problems best,” he told the audience. “This is and always will be a platform for you, all Yemenis, and all marginalized groups, to discuss the future of their country.” Alhariri noted that the Sana’a Center’s work to facilitate and center Yemeni-Yemeni discussions was just getting started: “We won't stop here - the dialogue that we aspire to promote must remain a sustainable and evolving process of renewal.”

Rana Ghanem, Assistant Secretary General of the Nasserite Party and a member of the Consultation and Reconciliation Commission, spoke passionately about opportunities afforded by dialogue: “The war confirmed that there can be no victor from violence, and there is no way for us, as Yemenis, except to return to the dialogue table, and we must keep it permanently open to solve our problems and reach a just and sustainable peace.” Ghanem asserted that diplomacy and intervention could not succeed if they did not meet Yemenis’ aspirations for their own future, and asked participants to build on the work of recent days: “The implementation of the ideas, solutions, and visions proposed in this forum, to pave the way toward the future and plan for it, is a shared responsibility among all of us… that we may extricate our country from the devastation, destruction, and dispersion that has afflicted it, and move toward peace, security, and prosperity you deserve.”

During the closing remarks, Ghanem highlighted the participation of members of the Southern Transitional Council in this year’s forum as an indication of “their willingness to engage in bold dialogues that touch the roots of our problems in Yemen, foremost of which is the southern issue, to develop perceptions, proposals, and ideas to face all challenges and reach a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace for all.” She expressed regret that Ansar Allah (the Houthi movement) failed to “attend and participate in such dialogues and platforms that bring together Yemenis to think openly and freely about the peace we seek for our country, instead of continuing the intransigence and isolation that distances them every day from the different Yemeni spectra and components." 

Ghanem ended on a hopeful note, echoing a perception among participants that the conference represented the beginning of the broader movement for Yemenis to shape the narratives and parameters of a future settlement. “I hope the day comes when we achieve peace in my country, and we can talk about this forum as an inspiration for other people around the world.”

The closing session also saw the announcement of a declaration for justice and reconciliation, signed by over forty Yemeni NGOs. The declaration was a result of numerous discussions between local organizations to set common principles and address new and existing grievances in order to halt the cycles of violence in the country. Transitional justice was a major theme of this year’s forum, and Maysaa Shuja Al-Deen, a senior researcher at the Sana’a Center, discussed how the pre-forum consultations had informed the declaration: “The discussions stressed the importance of a victim-centered approach, so we must support them and design transitional justice centered on this approach.” Such work is extremely difficult in a country that remains politically and militarily divided, with generations of victims from the eight-year-old civil war and a series of conflicts in recent decades. Shuja El-Deen emphasized the importance of undertaking such efforts now, with an eye toward the country’s long-term stability and reconciliation: “Documentation must be addressed, as documentation is important not only for accountability, but most importantly, it is vital for memorializing and historical narrative.”

During the closing remarks of the forum, Mayor Jan van Zanen welcomed delegates to The Hague, the ‘City of Peace,’ and praised the inclusiveness of the talks: “Renewed efforts have been made to strengthen mutual trust, and mutual trust is always the start of community building: of living and working and studying and thinking in peace together.” Van Zanen said the city was honored to host the event: “You have my full and profound respect for your efforts and I am very proud that you chose to do this in our city.”

He joined other prominent international officials that addressed the participants over the four-day event, including H.E. Paul Huijts, Secretary General of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs; H.E. David Gressly, United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen; H.E. Ambassador Peter-Derrek Hof, Dutch Ambassador to Yemen; H.E. Guusje Korthals, Deputy MENA Director at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Gabriel Munuera-Viñals, EU Ambassador to Yemen; H.E. Sarhan Al-Minaikher, GCC Ambassador to Yemen; H.E. Hans Grundberg, UN Special Envoy for Yemen; and H.E. Wolfgang Amadeus Brülhart, Swiss Special Envoy to MENA.

The YIF 2023 was organized by the Sana’a Center of Strategic Studies, an independent think tank focused on Yemen, with the support of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the European Union, the Kingdom of Norway, Open Society Foundations, and the Folke Bernadotte Academy. The first YIF, held in Stockholm in June 2022, was attended by over 200 Yemeni and international actors invested in the promotion of peace in Yemen.

The Hague, Netherlands – The third day of the Yemen International Forum (YIF) saw participants detailing the growing challenges faced by Yemeni women and environmental experts warn of increasing risks from climate change.

Over 250 participants from inside and outside Yemen, including members of the Yemeni government, party representatives, activists, civil society members, academics, diplomats, and international mediators, have come together in The Hague to discuss the current state of the conflict, with a particular focus on challenges and potential solutions related to politics, the environment, and transitional justice as part of a just and sustainable peace in Yemen. 

“The dignity of Yemeni women has been directly attacked,” said journalist Wedad al-Bedawi during the first plenary session of the day, describing the rollback of women’s freedoms and civil space during the conflict. These include requirements for a mahram (male guardian) to accompany women during travel and harassment of women working in the public sphere.

Al-Bedawi noted that the Forum provided a unique opportunity to convey the daily experiences of Yemeni women and discuss the critical issues of women’s participation and rights directly with the international community, as “the political parties don’t listen to us.”

Members of the panel unanimously called for the international community to adopt a different approach when it comes to their engagement in Yemen, notably the need to comprehensively confront oppressive measures enacted against women and gender-based violence. 

“I understand how difficult it is for aid agencies and the international community to work in Yemen,” said Sawsan al-Refai, a public policy and development expert. “But if it was easy we would not need the presence of the international community. The fact that the situation is difficult is not an excuse for the UN and the international community to not be present in the country.” 

A second plenary session focused on how climate change has compounded Yemen’s economic woes and human suffering, and explored how green investment could build resilience, promote sustainable development, and create new economic opportunities. 

Anwar Noman, an expert on climate change at the Yemeni Ministry of Water and Environment, noted that the country has witnessed an increase in extreme weather events such as cyclones and deadly floods, which have destroyed property and livelihoods. Floodwaters have swept landmines and unexploded ordnance into civilian areas, bedeviling removal efforts.

Panelists acknowledged Yemen’s challenges accessing international climate financing and explored avenues for unlocking such funds. “Most green financing takes the form of loans rather than grants… and there is a preference for large infrastructure projects,” said Leonie Nimmo from the Conflict and Environment Observatory. “These are barriers for conflict-affected states.”

Nimmo suggested combining remote data collection on the impact of climate change in Yemen with field data gathered by local communities, and conferring with potential donors on “what evidence they will accept.”

Another YIF session saw prominent Yemeni social figures and activists detail their experiences with local mediation, which has led to the release of thousands of detainees during the conflict, and discuss how the international community could better support such efforts. In a panel focused on security sector reform, Yemenis and international practitioners explored the pros and cons of local versus centralized control of armed forces, and how fighters could be reintegrated into civilian life and provided with economic opportunities in a post-conflict setting. 

Working groups were held focused on challenges facing the banking sector and the priorities of Yemenis from southern governorates. A scenario-building workshop on the potential for transitional justice processes in Yemen invited Yemeni and international stakeholders to engage in dialogue and envision different futures for the country. 

The YIF 2023 was organized by the Sana’a Center of Strategic Studies, an independent think tank focused on Yemen, with the support of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the European Union, the Kingdom of Norway, Open Society Foundations, and the Folke Bernadotte Academy. The first YIF, held in Stockholm in June 2022, was attended by over 200 Yemeni and international actors invested in the promotion of peace in Yemen.

The Hague, the Netherlands – United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg opened the second day of the Yemen International Forum (YIF) with an address to more than 250 attendees, including some of Yemen’s most prominent political and civil actors. Grundberg noted that the ongoing informal truce between the warring sides has provided a respite from prolonged cycles of violence, but sounded a note of caution: “While the parties have taken some steps forward, they have unfortunately also taken some steps backward.” He noted that economic warfare had intensified, and said escalating retaliation was damaging Yemen’s already struggling economy, with devastating effects for civilians. 

Rafat al-Akhali, a fellow at the Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford University, echoed this concern in the first plenary session of the day, dedicated to creating a shared vision for economic recovery. Warning that the banking sector was on the brink of collapse, Al-Akhali cautioned, “If we lose our banking sector, our struggle will be immense.” The panel, which also included World Bank Country Manager for Yemen Tania Meyer and GCC Ambassador to Yemen H.E. Sarhan al-Minaikher, discussed the keys to facilitating Yemen’s transition to economic recovery, including moving beyond short-term interventions;  increasing Yemenis’ resilience; supporting the private sector; and investing in Yemen’s youth, whom Meyer called “Yemen’s greatest asset.” 

A later session discussed avenues for revitalizing Yemen’s agriculture and fisheries sectors. Participants underscored the unrealized potential in both sectors, and advocated for the development of a comprehensive strategy that encourages investment and brings together the private sector, the public sector, and donors. 

Other YIF sessions invited participants to exchange ideas on topics such as protecting minorities, building trust between communities and security forces, and the role of art in reimagining Yemen’s future. “In the last two years artists are getting more aware of their value and are starting to have an impact,” said one artist, adding that they are “not just doing it as a hobby;  art can be a tool to get a message across.”  

Two scenario-building workshops were held on Yemen’s security sector and women’s participation.  Scenario planning is gaining popularity as a tool to explore future uncertainties in conflict-affected countries. Utilizing this approach, Yemeni stakeholders were invited to engage in dialogue and envision different possible scenarios for the future of their country. Other bilateral and side meetings took place between participants, as well as working groups focused on challenges facing Yemen’s banking sector and the perspectives of the Southern Transitional Council. 

The YIF 2023 was organized by the Sana’a Center of Strategic Studies, an independent think tank focused on Yemen, with the support of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the European Union, the Kingdom of Norway, Open Society Foundations, and the Folke Bernadotte Academy. The first YIF, held in Stockholm in June 2022, was attended by over 200 Yemeni and international actors invested in the promotion of peace in Yemen.

The Hague, the Netherlands — The Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies launched its second Yemen International Forum in The Hague on Monday, with an appeal from the opening speakers for participants to use the rare gathering to begin thinking about practical steps toward a sustainable peace as the country stands at a crossroads after eight years of war. 

“What is it that we want to do here? We want to collectively create a possible path for a comprehensive, lasting, and unbreakable peace, a peace that, for the first time in Yemen’s history, is focused on justice and the addressing grievances for the victims of this and previous conflicts,” said Chairperson of the Sana’a Center Maged Al-Madhaji in the opening address at the Peace Palace, set up in 1913 to house international courts of arbitration and justice. 

Over 250 participants from inside and outside Yemen, including members of the Yemeni government, representatives of the various parties, activists, civil society members, academics, diplomats, and international mediators, have come to discuss the current state of the conflict, after a year of de-escalation that has kindled hopes of peace.

“The history of Yemen is present here,” said Waleed Alhariri, Director of The Yemen International Forum, referencing the 1998 decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that ended a dispute between Yemen and Eritrea over the Greater Hanish island in the Red Sea.  “The Yemen International Forum is more than an annual conference,” said Alhariri.  “It is a process of ongoing consultations and engagement with various actors and peace practitioners.”

“After so many years of conflict, it may be hard to shift focus and start thinking about how a peaceful society could possibly emerge. But this is exactly what is needed. And this vision needs to emerge from within Yemen, not from elsewhere,” said Paul Huijts, Secretary-General of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

David Gressly, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, said Yemen had inched significantly closer to peace since the first YIF held in Stockholm last year: “That hope runs a little brighter today, though there is no guarantee.” 

Although a formal truce brokered by the UN lapsed in October last year, an informal truce has taken hold since then, while talks also began on establishing a formal peace process. 

“Many countries have gone through similar transitions from conflict to peace; some succeed, some don’t. Many struggled. I hope and believe Yemen will be that exception,” Gressly said, adding: “I have instructed our country team in Yemen to prepare for peace.” 

Ambassadors from the permanent member countries of the UN Security Council as well as representatives of Gulf Cooperation Council countries and other members of the international community will join the discussions at the forum alongside Yemeni political and civil actors. 

A host of plenaries, parallel sessions, and workshops will take place over the four days of the conference, from 12-15 June, during which participants will be encouraged to engage in constructive dialogue, exchange ideas, envision future scenarios for the country, and develop practical pathways toward peace in Yemen.

The first plenary session heard warnings of the need to address justice for victims of the war as the basis for a sustainable peace that avoids the risk of a return to conflict.

Amat Al-Salam Al-Hajj, director of the Abductees' Mothers Association, spoke passionately of the suffering of some 12,000 people seized by warring parties during the war, 8,000 of whom were released after undergoing severe physical and mental harm. 

“We as mothers will continue to advocate for and demand justice. There needs to be justice, and we will not remain silent,” Al-Hajj said, eliciting a round of applause from attendees. “Many mothers died before their sons were released. This is the disaster we are facing.” 

“I’d like to warn the local, regional, and international community,” she added. “If peace is to be real, comprehensive, and provide security and stability, there must be justice and redress. Otherwise, these victims are a ticking time bomb; the cycle of revenge and violence will continue.” 

The YIF 2023 is organized by the Sana’a Center of Strategic Studies, an independent think tank focused on Yemen, with the support of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the European Union, the Kingdom of Norway, Open Society Foundations, and the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA). The first YIF, held in Stockholm in June 2022, was attended by over 200 Yemeni and international actors invested in the promotion of peace in Yemen.

EU ambassador to Yemen Gabriel Munuera-Viñals told a second plenary session that he believed Yemen would remain an international priority. “As far as the European Union and its member states go, Yemen remains high on the agenda and the readiness is there to continue supporting and doing what we can."

The Hague, the Netherlands— The Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies will launch its second Yemen International Forum (YIF II) on Monday, June 12, 2023, at the Peace Palace in The Hague.

Over 250 participants from inside and outside Yemen, including members of the Yemeni government, representatives of the various parties, activists, civil society members, academics, diplomats, and international mediators will congregate in The Hague to discuss peace efforts in Yemen and current and future issues facing the country.

“The YIF aims to contribute to building Yemeni ownership of the peace process, supporting Yemeni-Yemeni dialogue, and widening the conversation on peace in Yemen,” said Waleed Alhariri, Director of the YIF, with this year’s theme focusing on Pathways to Inclusive, Just, and Sustainable Peace.

H.E. Paul Huijts, Secretary-General of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, David Gressly, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, Samah Subay, a lawyer and human rights activist, and Maged Al-Madhaji, Chairperson of the Sana’a Center, will address the opening session.

Ambassadors from the permanent member countries of the UN Security Council as well as representatives of Gulf Cooperation Council countries and other members of the international community will join the discussions at the forum alongside Yemeni political and civil actors. A host of plenaries, parallel sessions, and workshops will take place over the four days of the conference, from 12-15 June, during which participants will be encouraged to engage in constructive dialogue, exchange ideas, envision future scenarios for the country, and develop practical pathways toward peace in Yemen.

The YIF 2023 is organized by the Sana’a Center of Strategic Studies, an independent think tank focused on Yemen, with the support of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union, the Government of Norway, Open Society Foundations, and the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA). The first YIF was held in Stockholm in June 2022 and attended by over 200 Yemeni and international actors invested in the promotion of peace in Yemen.

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