Almotamar.net - A meeting of Arab Ministers, the World Bank, the EU and the UN to raise new funds in the fight against poverty in Yemen will be held in London this week. The Government of Yemen is expecting a significant funding boost, up to $5 billion, to the Arab nation – the poorest in the oil-rich region.

President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen will attend the meeting in Lancaster House in his first visit to Europe since being re-elected in September. The meeting will also be attended by senior Ministers from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Bahrain which make up the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Gareth Thomas, the UK Minister of International Development, who visited Yemen last week and will be opening the conference, said:

“The UK is determined to help improve the quality of life for the people of Yemen. This meeting is a chance for our friends in the Arab world and beyond to commit new money that will mean fewer children die needlessly every year, more young girls will go to school and the economy will get a welcome injection of funds.

“We intend to lead by example and meet the promises the UK made at last year’s G8 summit in Gleneagles to increase our overseas aid.”