Some of the Participants of the 2nd Consultation Meeting for Peace initiatives in Yemen
Amman, Jordan – 15 October 2024: In light of the ongoing difficult circumstances Yemen has faced for many years, and with a strong commitment to contributing to a just and sustainable peace, the “Second Consultation Meeting for Peace Initiatives in Yemen” concluded yesterday in the Jordanian capital, Amman. The meeting took place from 12-14 October 2024, with the participation of more than 35 Yemeni figures and influencers from different social and political background from various governorates and different parts of the world.
At the opening session of the meeting, organised by the Tamadon Foundation, Dr. Mahmood Alazani (chairman of Tamadon), delivered a welcoming address, offering an overview of the peace project and urging participants to work together for peace in Yemen, stressing the importance of not losing hope.
In his remarks, the Executive Director of the Institute of Law and Society in Jordan, Mr. Moath Al-Momani, warmly welcomed the participants, expressing his personal support and that of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for the Yemenis in their pursuit of restoring a prosperous and peaceful Yemen.
Additionally, Mrs. Hooria Mashhour, one of the founding members of the National Reconciliation Movement and former Minister of Human Rights, presented an overview of past and current initiatives, particularly those led by women, aimed at achieving peace in Yemen. She emphasised the critical role of civil action as a key tool in establishing a just and sustainable peace.
On behalf of the participants, both Mr. Mohammed Abdulsalam Mansour (an esteemed political figure) and Dr. Abdullah Obal (The Secretary-General of the Yemeni Unionist Congregation Party and a former Culture Minister) thanked the organisers, expressing their hopes and recommendations regarding the priorities that should be focused on to achieve effective outcomes on the path to comprehensive and just peace. They highlighted the significance of the conference as a continuation and reinforcement of national efforts for peace, driven by Yemeni voices representing various segments of society, with a focus on involving Yemenis on the ground in shaping a practical national strategy to end the conflict and fulfil the aspirations of future generations.
The meeting was enriched by extensive discussions centred around the creation of a unified national platform for Yemeni peace forces, building on the outcomes of the first consultation meeting held last year in Amman.
During the working sessions, participants affirmed their historical and moral responsibility towards the Yemeni people, making their interests the highest priority. They contributed to the initial drafting of foundational documents for this platform, which they agreed to name the “National Coalition for Peace in Yemen (NCP-Yemen).” These documents included the coalition’s vision, goals, constitution, and political charter.
Members of the drafting committee also presented an analysis of participants’ initial contributions and proposed topics for discussion throughout the conference.
Dr. Hamdan Dammag, Executive Director of Tamadon, noted the success of the second consultation meeting, adding that “Tamadon is preparing for the final phase, during which the NCP-Yemen will be formally launched next year in the city of Mukalla”, which he described as Yemen’s future “capital of peace.”
At the conclusion of the conference, participants pledged to continue working towards the goals and recommendations of the consultation meeting and to stand together as a forthcoming national coalition aiming to achieve the desired peace in Yemen. They emphasised that the opportunity is ripe and that the time for serious action is now.
The conference concluded with the following recommendations:
- Expand the participation of influential peace figures and organisations from all Yemeni governorates, both inside and outside the country, representing various societal groups.
- Intensify fieldwork to make the pursuit of comprehensive and just peace in Yemen a public concern.
- Urge the international community to include civil peace forces in any UN-sponsored negotiations or regional arrangements.
- Develop a comprehensive peace vision specific to the NCP-Yemen, to be approved at the founding conference.
- Work towards holding the founding conference of the NCP-Yemen and formally launching it from inside Yemen.
- Continue efforts to promote a culture of peace through all available media and educational means, including creating dialogue platforms to bridge the knowledge gap about the peacebuilding process and correct any misconceptions.
- Maintain coordination with international and regional organisations involved in peacebuilding during the coalition’s founding period, benefiting from any similar previous experiences.
- Establish a research database and analysis on all Yemeni peace forces inside and outside the country, as well as those working for peace in Yemen.
- Encourage the international community to sustain and increase support for civil organisations working towards sustainable peace.
- Call on the international and regional community to resume its role in pressuring the conflicting parties to return to the negotiating table and commit to ending the war and establishing peace in Yemen.
- Urge the international community to continue engaging in dialogues with civil and political forces inside and outside Yemen to involve them in the peace process.
It is worth noting that this meeting is part of a series of events, both inside and outside Yemen, which are expected to culminate in the first founding conference of the coalition, marking its official launch.
