Middle East (Yemen) - Security Council, 9304th meeting

One year since the parties agreed to a truce under United Nations auspices ‑ which has continued to deliver well beyond its expiration six months ago ‑ Yemen is again at a critical juncture, briefers told the Security Council today, underscoring that, in eight years, the international community has not seen such a serious opportunity for ending the conflict.

Hans Grundberg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, said that the country is experiencing the longest period of relative calm yet in this ruinous war, with food, fuel and other commercial ships flowing into Hudaydah. nbsp;He pointed to the recent agreement in Switzerland ‑ under the auspices of the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) ‑ to release almost 900 conflict-related detainees from all sides. nbsp;

Ghada Mudawi, Deputy Director, Operations and Advocacy Division, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, commended the continued easing of import restrictions in recent weeks which has allowed more commercial goods into the country.

While welcoming the renewed optimism surrounding the ongoing negotiations to find a solution to the Yemeni conflict, Council members underlined the need for an impactful humanitarian response, especially while a sizeable funding gap remains.nbsp;

The representative of Ghana, speaking also on behalf of Gabon and Mozambique, stressed that only an inclusive Yemeni-owned political process will bring a lasting solution to the conflict.nbsp;

The representative of China, highlighting the need to provide enabling conditions for the political settlement of the Yemeni question, said that the humanitarian situation in the country remains dire, with acute malnutrition and more than two thirds of the population living below the poverty line. nbsp;

The representative of the United Arab Emirates, expressing support for Saudi Arabia’s continuous mediation efforts and commending Oman’s efforts to achieve reconciliation, highlighted that the recent release of abductees brings new hope to the humanitarian, economic and political tracks.nbsp;

Rounding up the discussion, the representative of Yemen said that, while his Government continues to implement all provisions of the humanitarian truce even after its expiry, the Houthi militias chose escalation in an unprecedented manner, carrying out terrorist attacks on ports and economic facilities, and continuing to threaten the safety and security of international navigation.nbsp;

Also speaking today were representatives of Albania, Malta, France, Ecuador, Japan, Brazil, Switzerland, United States and the Russian Federation.

The meeting began at 10:02 a.m. and ended at 11:39 a.m.