Washington D.C, / Riyadh, December 11, 2025 - With the aim of supporting education and developing educational infrastructure in Yemen, a partnership agreement was signed between the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SPDRY), the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), the Yemeni Ministry of Education, and UNESCO earlier today.

The agreement was signed during the “MOMENTUM” Development Finance Conference, organized by the National Development Fund, and held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh from December 9–11, 2025. Aiming to enhance impact and broaden the scope of educational initiatives, the partnership agreement introduces an innovative development financing model valued at $40 million, with SDRPY contributing $30 million and GPE providing $10 million.

The agreement aims to expand access to safe, inclusive, and equitable education for children across Yemen, particularly in underserved regions. It places a strong emphasis on empowering girls to attend and remain in school, while addressing barriers to learning in vulnerable communities. The agreement also seeks to strengthen the resilience of the education system, ensuring the continuity of learning during crises, and enhancing overall educational quality. This will be achieved through targeted teacher training programs and the development of professional capacities.

On the agreement, the Yemeni Minister of Education, H.E. Tariq Salem Al-Akbari, commented: “Providing quality education to Yemeni children is a critical priority for the government of Yemen. Through the support of our international partners, including SDRPY and GPE, the Ministry of Education has continued to keep the majority of schools open so that our children are able to continue learning.”

Meanwhile, the Saudi ambassador to Yemen and SDRPY’s General Supervisor, H. E. Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber, affirmed that this support reflects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to building a sustainable and inclusive educational future that contributes to Yemen’s progress and prosperity. He highlighted that the Kingdom, through the Program, has provided support for basic and higher education as well as technical and vocational training by implementing 56 educational projects and initiatives across 11 Yemeni governorates, recognizing the importance of education in achieving comprehensive development. These efforts are part of 268 development projects and initiatives implemented by SDRPY across eight vital sectors, including health, water, energy, transport, education, agriculture, and fisheries, enhancing and strengthening government capabilities and development programs across various Yemeni governorates.

GPE’s CEO, Ms. Laura Frigenti, added: “Education is not just an investment in children’s futures —it is the foundation for peace, resilience, and prosperity. Our partnership with SDRPY and partners in Saudi Arabia and Yemen exemplifies how collective action can transform lives, even in the most challenging contexts. Through this new partnership, we will be supporting children, especially girls in Yemen, to have safe access to quality learning.”

For more information:

• Tamara Kummer, GPE Head of Communications @email Tel: +1 202 948 5395

About the Global Partnership for Education

GPE is a shared commitment to ending the world’s learning crisis. We mobilize partners and funds to support over 90 countries to transform their education systems so that every girl and boy can get the quality education they need to unlock their full potential and contribute to building a better world.
www.globalpartnership.org

About the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen

The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) was established in May 2018 through a royal decree from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to meet the needs of the people of Yemen, providing institutional, technical, and logistical support.

Read this Press release in Arabic.