New York (South24)

At the United Nations' (UN) Future Summit in New York, held from September 22-23, the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) called on the international community to contribute to alleviating the effects of nearly a decade of war in Yemen, with a focus on future-building efforts.

A delegation from the PLC, formed in 2022 with support from the Gulf states, included PLC Chairman, Rashad Al-Alimi, members Aidrous Al-Zubaidi and Othman Majali, and Foreign Minister Shayea Al-Zindani.

In a speech at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly yesterday, Al-Alimi said that Yemen is "struggling on three fronts: confronting violence and extremism, mitigating the impacts of war, and keeping pace with the future as much as possible."

On X, Aidrous Al-Zubaidi, President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), which controls Aden and much of South Yemen, said: "Our country has fallen far behind global progress due to decades of conflict and political instability.”

"Today, we must take serious steps towards sustainable development, which requires consolidating security, encouraging innovation, and governing by starting real reforms in state institutions to achieve stability," Al-Zubaidi added.

He emphasized that his visit to New York aimed to amplify the voices of Yemen’s people and convey their concerns and aspirations to international decision-makers. 

In an exclusive statement to the South24 Center, Ali Al-Hadiani, Al-Zubaidi's press secretary, said that the STC is seeking broader participation and to introduce itself and the South Issue at regional and international levels through the UN summit.

Al-Hadiani added that their goal is to clarify the STC’s work priorities and needs and recalibrate the political process to move beyond a sole focus on the Houthis, aiming for a comprehensive political solution that includes all parties and issues.

Al-Alimi and Al-Zubaidi also met with Arab leaders on the sidelines of the summit, including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

In a separate statement, the PLC called for an immediate cessation of the war in Gaza and an end to Israeli violations.