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Minister Al-Zaouri Delivers Yemen’s Address at the Sixth Islamic Conference of Labour Ministers Held in Doha
Oct 16, 2025
This morning, in the Qatari capital Doha, the ministerial session of the Sixth Islamic Conference of Labour Ministers commenced under the theme “Local Experiences, Global Achievements: Success Stories in the Islamic World.”
The conference is attended by representatives from more than 50 Islamic countries, as well as international and regional organizations, experts, academics, and civil society representatives, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in the fields of labour and social development across the Islamic world.
His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Saeed Al-Zaouri, Minister of Social Affairs and Labour, delivered Yemen’s statement at the session. In his address, he reviewed the difficult humanitarian and economic conditions that Yemen is enduring as a result of the war waged by the terrorist Houthi militias, noting that this war has exacerbated the employment and unemployment crisis, transforming it from an economic issue into a serious social crisis.
Minister Al-Zaouri explained that Yemen’s labour market is experiencing unprecedented deterioration, with youth unemployment rates exceeding 60%, and more than 70% of economic establishments ceasing operations — resulting in millions of families losing their main sources of income.
He added that the public sector faces severe financial challenges due to the shortage of resources and the suspension of oil and gas exports, while more than 70% of the population lives below the poverty line and over 4.5 million people have been displaced, living in complex humanitarian conditions.
The minister pointed out that the informal sector has come to absorb the majority of the labour force in the absence of social and legal protection programs, stressing that investing in human capital is fundamental to achieving sustainable development.
Dr. Al-Zaouri reaffirmed the Yemeni government’s full support for the efforts and initiatives of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fields of training, employment, capacity-building, and labour protection.
He expressed hope that the outcomes of the conference would contribute to promoting economic and social stability, creating job opportunities for youth and women, enhancing the resilience of the Yemeni people, and rebuilding their capacities.
The minister also praised the leading role of the OIC in supporting joint development and humanitarian programs, emphasizing the importance of the OIC Labour Center and its humanitarian funds as strategic tools for promoting technical and vocational cooperation and advancing labour market policies in member states.
In conclusion, His Excellency Dr. Al-Zaouri reaffirmed the Yemeni government’s firm position in supporting the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent sovereign state, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
He also expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the State of Qatar and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for their significant efforts in organizing this conference, hoping that its discussions and outcomes will contribute to achieving social justice, human dignity, and
