Yemen's President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi attends the opening of the National Dialogue Conference in Sanaa March 18, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

UNITED NATIONS - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday welcomed the launch of the National Dialogue Conference in Yemen as "a historic opportunity for the Yemeni people".

"The secretary-general welcomes the launch today of the National Dialogue Conference in Yemen. ... He is gratified that the National Dialogue was prepared in a constructive, participatory and comprehensive fashion," said a statement issued here by Ban's spokesman.

"The Dialogue represents a historic opportunity for the Yemeni people, including women and youth," the statement said. "It will allow them to come together to resolve grievances and to build trust, ensure justice, promote human rights and contribute to the country's development and prosperity."

Yemen on Monday launched the National Dialogue Conference, a key part in the second phase of a two-year power transition sponsored by the Gulf countries and the international community.

Analysts said the dialogue conference is a crucial turning point between the former government and post-unrest administration and will lead to change and reforms during the transition period.

"The Yemeni people have chosen the path of peaceful dialogue and reconciliation," the statement said.

Meanwhile, the secretary-general commends the Yemeni president, government and people "for their determination and wisdom in keeping the transition process on track against many odds," said the statement.

Ban's special adviser on Yemen, Jamal Benomar, and his team "remain fully engaged with all sides in support of the National Dialogue," the statement said. "They will continue to work closely with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members and other international partners to help the transition succeed."

The dialogue, scheduled to run six months, brings together 565 representatives of Yemen's various political groups. They aim to draft a new constitution and prepare for general elections in February 2014.

The dialogue was being held as per the UN-brokered deal that eased former strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh out of office following an 11-month uprising against his 33-year rule.

The talks were supposed to be held in November last year, but were delayed after southern separatist leaders insisted on full independence for the south.

The southerners complain of being economically and politically marginalized and discriminated against by the former regime since northern troops won a four-month civil war in 1994.