UN General Assembly
1966

48. I do not need to burden the members of the Assembly with a detailed account of the situation in Yemen before the revolution. It is indicative to state, in this respect, that there were only three schools throughout the country, and that nothing was taught in these schools except religion, history of the various Imams and how to give allegiance to them, Yemen knew nothing of the modern means of transportation throughout its history; it has never had even one single paved road. The Yemen Arab Republic, in order to catch up with the rest of the peoples of the world in uprooting the germs of backwardness, is exerting maximum efforts to build schools, hospitals, roads and public services for the first time. We are embarking on productive projects that will bring prosperity, welfare and happiness to the people of Yemen.