http://www.english.hadhramaut.info Human rights, biodiversity projects to be carried out in Yemen [The Source: SANA'A/hadhramaut.info/sabanews.net - 25/07/2012] Yemen and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed on Tuesday two important projects documents at the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation. The first project aims to support the strengthening of Human Rights during the Transition Period (2012-2014) in Yemen through the establishment of an independent National Human Rights Body; the development of Civil Society Capacities in Human Rights; and, support to the Ministry of Human Rights to effectively contribute to the transitional process. This timely project comes to answer key human rights challenges in Yemen, such as the need for dialogue and consultation on human rights; stronger civil society organisations which are able to effectively advocate for the citizens’ rights; enabling government systems and institutions to address human rights challenges; and, civil society engagement. UNDP and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights are committed to support the establishment of permanent and independent Human Rights structures which can monitor the human rights situation in the country, support National NGOs working on Human Rights issues and assist the existing Human Rights Ministry to address all Yemen’s national and international obligations. The total budget of the project is US$ 4.093 million. The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) provided US$ 3.154 million, The Netherlands provided US$ 615 thousand, and UNDP provided the remaining amount. Commenting on the project’s signing, the Swedish Minister of Development Cooperation, Ms. Gunilla Carlsson said: “Yemen is currently undergoing a difficult but important transitional phase to strengthen the democratic system and institutions. Human Rights is a corner stone for any democratic state and therefore Sweden has decided to support the establishment of an independent human rights institute in Yemen.” The project document was signed by Dr. Mohammad Al-Saadi, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Ms. Hooriah Mashoor, Minister of Human Rights, and Mr. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, UNDP Resident Representative. The second project is National Biodiversity Planning to Support the Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (2011-2020) Strategic Plan in Yemen Project. With total budget of US$ 250 thousand, US$ 220 thousand of which is contributed by Global Environment Facility, the project addresses the country’s need to continue to fulfill its obligations under the CBD (2011-2020) Strategic Plan, approved in Nagoya in 2010. Above all, the project is a significant contribution to Yemen’s efforts towards nationalizing the CBD Strategic Plan (2011-2020). It builds on the current status and achievements of Yemen with respect to biodiversity planning and reporting. It is important to highlight that Yemen ratified the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity in 1995. It also completed its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) in 2005. Accordingly, this project is expected to align Yemen’s NBSAP to the newly approved guidelines and aspects of the CBD (2011-2020) Strategic Plan, adopted in Nagoya in 2010, as mentioned earlier. The Project Document was signed by Dr. Mohammad Al-Saadi, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Mr. Abdul Salam Razaz, Minister of Water and Environment, and Mr. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, UNDP Resident Representative.