Signing and Exchanging of Notes on “The Project for the Improvement of Customs Functions at Major Ports” in partnership with UNOPS
2026/2/12
On February 12 (same day local time), in Riyadh, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Yemen, H.E. Yoichi NAKASHIMA, and Mr. Muhammad Usman AKRAM, Representative and Director of the UNOPS Operational Hub in Amman, signed and exchanged notes regarding grant aid for the "Project for the Improvement of Customs Functions at Major Ports (in Cooperation with UNOPS)" (grant amount: 732 million yen (approximately 4.6 million USD) ). H.E. Mr. Hani Wahab, Vice Minister of Finance and H.E. Mr. Abdulhakim Al-Qubati, Chairman of Yemen Customs Authority (YCA) also attended the signing ceremony representing the government of Yemen.
1. The lingering conflict has been imposing formidable challenges on customs operations in Yemen. Major X-ray inspection equipment used for cargo inspection at various customs facilities has been damaged. As a result, only 20% of cargo passing through customs facilities can be X-rayed, and the remaining 80% is inspected manually, causing significant delays in operations and increasing the risk of smuggling of weapons, narcotics, and other illegal items.
2. This cooperation will improve the efficiency of customs clearance procedures for humanitarian aid supplies and other items by providing equipment in needs and capacity development training to customs officials at Yemen's major ports, namely Aden Sea Port, Al Shihan Land Port in Al‑Mahra, and Al‑Wadiah Land Port in Hadramout. It is expected to, through strengthening customs capacity, contribute to help mitigate the severe humanitarian situation and promote national reconstruction efforts in Yemen.
3. Supporting peace and stability in Yemen bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden will help ensure the security of the sea lanes that underpin Japan's economy. The Government of Japan, in cooperation with the United Nations and partner countries, will continue to work proactively toward the realization of peace and stability in Yemen.
1. The lingering conflict has been imposing formidable challenges on customs operations in Yemen. Major X-ray inspection equipment used for cargo inspection at various customs facilities has been damaged. As a result, only 20% of cargo passing through customs facilities can be X-rayed, and the remaining 80% is inspected manually, causing significant delays in operations and increasing the risk of smuggling of weapons, narcotics, and other illegal items.
2. This cooperation will improve the efficiency of customs clearance procedures for humanitarian aid supplies and other items by providing equipment in needs and capacity development training to customs officials at Yemen's major ports, namely Aden Sea Port, Al Shihan Land Port in Al‑Mahra, and Al‑Wadiah Land Port in Hadramout. It is expected to, through strengthening customs capacity, contribute to help mitigate the severe humanitarian situation and promote national reconstruction efforts in Yemen.
3. Supporting peace and stability in Yemen bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden will help ensure the security of the sea lanes that underpin Japan's economy. The Government of Japan, in cooperation with the United Nations and partner countries, will continue to work proactively toward the realization of peace and stability in Yemen.