As part of its ongoing support for cultural and educational activities, the Yemen International Agency for Development sponsored the launch of the sixth edition of the “Asda Debating Championship,” organized by the Yemeni Students’ Union in Istanbul. This annual championship witnessed wide participation from students of various Arab communities studying at Turkish universities, reflecting vibrant cultural interaction among youth from different Arab nationalities.

The championship aims to enhance students’ skills in public speaking, debate, constructive dialogue, and critical thinking — essential tools for personal and academic growth. “Asda Debating Championship” is considered one of the most prominent intellectual events that encourage youth to adopt positions based on analytical thinking and listening to diverse perspectives, thereby promoting meaningful intercultural dialogue.

The Yemen International Agency for Development expressed pride in sponsoring this important event, affirming that its support aligns with its ongoing commitment to empower student initiatives that aim to foster cultural and social awareness. Through such events, the agency seeks to support young talents and enable them to create a positive impact within their academic and social environments.

The championship also offers students an ideal platform to develop leadership skills and express their opinions and beliefs in a respectful and impactful manner. At the same time, it serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas and discussions among youth from different cultural backgrounds, enriching their educational and human experiences.

This sponsorship reflects the Yemen International Agency for Development’s broader strategy of supporting Arab — particularly Yemeni — youth in enhancing their intellectual and cultural competencies. “Asda Debating Championship” stands out as one of the leading initiatives that help nurture a new generation of thoughtful leaders capable of facing challenges and positively influencing their communities.

As part of enhancing international and local cooperation in the development fields, the Yemen International Agency for Development hosted representatives of organizations participating in the conference organized by the International Forum for Development Organizations under the title “International Partnerships and Alliances for Financing Development Interventions in Crisis and Conflict Areas” in Istanbul.
The conference aims to bring together organizations and experts from various countries in the region to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in facing crises and conflicts, and to coordinate on financing development intervention projects.

The visit included a training session titled “Building Effective Strategic Partnerships and Their Role in Achieving Sustainable Development” presented by Dr. Mustafa Mohamed Al-Momari. The session focused on the importance of building strong strategic partnerships between local and international organizations to achieve sustainable development goals and improve the effectiveness of development projects in Yemen.

During the visit, the Yemen International Agency for Development showcased its major activities and achievements from the past period, in addition to outlining its future goals for expanding strategic partnerships with local and international organizations. The agency aims to increase the implementation of development projects in Yemen, particularly in areas affected by crises and conflicts, by fostering cooperation and joint coordination between all relevant parties.

As part of efforts to enhance collaboration among organizations working in the development sector, the Yemen International Agency for Development conducted field visits to the organizations participating in the Fourth International NGO Exhibition. The aim of these visits was to strengthen cooperation and exchange experiences between organizations, as well as to observe the latest projects and initiatives being implemented in various sectors to achieve sustainable development.

The visits also sought to support the establishment of strategic partnerships among the participating organizations, contributing to strengthening joint efforts to face the developmental challenges facing Yemen. Through these visits, the agency aimed to enhance international and local cooperation among organizations, maximizing the benefits of development projects and expanding their impact.

The visits demonstrated the agency’s commitment to enhancing the institutional capacities of the participating organizations, increasing opportunities for innovation and growth in humanitarian and development projects.

The city of Istanbul recently hosted the ninth Annual Middle East Conference organized by Istanbul Gelisim University and the Makha Center for Strategic Studies, with the participation of numerous researchers and academics from across the Arab world and beyond. The conference, held under the title “Geopolitical Shifts and the Sovereignty Dilemma in the Middle East,” aimed to discuss the key issues and transformations impacting the Middle East in light of global changes.

During the conference, researcher Hudhayfah Al-Humaidi presented his paper titled “The Reality of Islamic Microfinance Banks amid the Yemeni Crisis,” addressing the challenges and advantages that Islamic microfinance banks in Yemen face amidst challenging economic conditions. Researcher Mohammed Al-Dhaibani presented his paper titled “The Role of Murabaha Financing in Achieving Sustainable Development Goal Eight,” which explored the impact of Murabaha financing on fostering economic growth and contributing to sustainable development.

Both researchers are graduate students in the Talented Youth Support Program by the Yemen International Agency for Development – Turkey (YIAD), funded by the International Islamic Charitable Organization of Kuwait. The program seeks to support and develop Yemeni talent across various academic and research fields, enabling them to make scientific and research contributions that benefit their communities.

The Yemen International Agency for Development has signed cooperation agreements to implement a series of cultural projects aimed at enhancing cultural activities and supporting community initiatives in various regions of Turkey. These projects seek to develop the cultural sector and foster community engagement through a wide range of activities.

The agreements were made in collaboration with four leading cultural and developmental institutions: Alem Academy of Sciences, Mishkat Foundation, Tabsira Center, and Balqis Yemen Association. These projects aim to provide direct support to the community through initiatives that promote cultural engagement and social awareness, alongside organizing developmental events and activities to benefit various segments of the population.

In this context, emphasized the importance of partnering with these institutions to execute projects aligned with its mission to enhance social and cultural development and support initiatives that contribute to building a more aware and progressive society.

As part of efforts to strengthen humanitarian and development partnerships, Dr. Abdelraqib Abbad, President of the Yemen International Agency for Development, received a delegation from Al-Rahma International Charity at the agency’s headquarters in Turkey. The delegation included Dr. Jamal Al-Razi, Director of Al-Rahma International Charity’s office in Turkey, and Engineer Firas Basmahji, Director of the Projects Department at Al-Rahma Global Foundation.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways of mutual cooperation in implementing humanitarian and development projects aimed at supporting the most vulnerable groups. The discussions also focused on expanding strategic partnerships to enhance work in the education, health, and economic empowerment sectors, contributing to sustainable development.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties emphasized the importance of strengthening relations and continuing joint work to achieve humanitarian goals that serve and support local communities.

As part of its efforts to promote cultural activities and develop community initiatives in Turkey, the Yemen International Agency for Development (YIAD) in Turkey has signed agreements to implement cultural projects worth 4,352,000 Turkish Lira. These projects aim to directly support 499 beneficiaries with the participation of 4 partner institutions in their implementation.

The duration of the projects will extend for one full year, with the objective of supporting the cultural sector in Turkey, focusing on the development of initiatives that empower local communities. These projects aim to enhance cultural events that contribute to raising cultural awareness and increasing interaction among different segments of society.

Through these agreements, YIAD seeks to create a positive and sustainable impact on the cultural scene, supporting activities and initiatives that enhance cultural identity and develop community capacities.

The Yemen International Development Agency has announced the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement with Sabahattin Zaim University, aimed at enhancing higher education opportunities for graduate students from Yemen and other Arab countries.

The agreement aims to enable students to access advanced educational programs across various academic disciplines, thereby contributing to the development of their scientific and research skills. This partnership will facilitate admission and provide outstanding educational opportunities for Yemeni and Arab students, focusing on meeting their academic and professional needs.

The Yemen International Development Agency stated that this agreement is part of its ongoing efforts to support the education sector in Yemen and the Arab world, through the provision of comprehensive educational programs that contribute to building a generation of skilled individuals capable of facing future challenges.

The agency noted that this collaboration represents a significant step towards strengthening academic and scientific relations between educational institutions in the region, enhancing mutual understanding and knowledge exchange.

In conclusion, the Yemen International Development Agency reaffirmed its commitment to continuing its work in advancing higher education and supporting scientific research by establishing strategic partnerships with prestigious educational institutions like Sabahattin Zaim University, contributing to sustainable development in the region.

Highlights fromYemen International Agency for Development’s participation in the Digital Partnerships for Sustainable Finance Workshop in Istanbul. This event is part of the “Solidarity” program, supported by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The program aims to enhance livelihoods in remote communities, empower civil society organizations, and support sustainable development in the member countries of the bank.

The event saw broad participation from representatives of non-governmental organizations and development institutions, where ideas and successful practices were exchanged to achieve the program’s goals. The agency emphasized the importance of digital partnerships in facilitating communication and knowledge sharing among various development actors. The workshop also highlighted the challenges faced by remote communities and how technology can help overcome these challenges through innovative and sustainable solutions.

The agency noted that its participation in this workshop is part of its strategy to strengthen international cooperation and exchange experiences with international organizations and institutions. The agency aims to expand its network and enhance its capacity to implement effective development projects in Yemen through this participation.

The Digital Partnerships for Sustainable Finance Workshop is considered an important opportunity for Yemen International Agency for Development to enhance its international presence and exchange expertise and knowledge with international partners. The agency seeks to leverage this event to develop new projects that meet the needs of remote communities and contribute to achieving sustainable development in Yemen and the member countries of the Islamic Development Bank.

The Gifted Talent Center, part of Yemen International Agency for Development in Turkey, has concluded its Employment Skills Program in partnership with Enogar. The program, which lasted for 3 days with a total of 12 training hours, aimed to equip participants with the essential skills needed to excel in the job search process. The training focused on enhancing participants’ abilities in resume writing, personal interviews, and job search strategies, with the goal of supporting them in entering the job market with success and confidence.