S/PV.6784 Security Council

In accordance with article 37 of the Security Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Yemen to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2012/417, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by France, Germany, Morocco, Portugal, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America. It is my understanding that the Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

The draft resolution received 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2051 (2012). I now give the floor to the representative of Yemen.

At the outset, I would like to commend you, Sir, and the Chinese delegation on your presidency of the Security Council this month. I would also like to congratulate Ambassador Mehdiyev and the delegation of Azerbaijan on their successful leadership of the Council in May. The Council has wisely adopted today’s resolution 2051 (2012), concerning my country, and the Republic of Yemen welcomes it. I would like to reiterate what was said in a previous presidential statement (S/PRST/2012/8), namely, that Yemen has made significant progress. Nevertheless, numerous difficulties persist, as do many challenges that must still be overcome. In order to tackle those problems, we must underscore the importance of the support that has been given to the efforts of President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi Mansour and to the national unity Government. Those challenges are as follows. First, the deterioration in the humanitarian situation in our country presages a disastrous scenario that will significantly affect food security in many regions of Yemen. Nor should we forget the increase in the number of refugees and internally displaced persons. In that context, Yemeni citizens are suffering from electricity blackouts, which are frequent, as well as from a lack of water services, oil products, household gas supplies, health care and hygiene. Secondly, the security situation in Yemen remains complicated and difficult. Further sustained efforts will be necessary in order to restore security and stability so as to expel the armed groups from the towns and put an end to the divisions within the army. The national dialogue process excludes no one and it will go forward and make progress, thanks to the restructuring of the armed forces, so that together we will be able to establish a modern State of Yemen with institutions based on liberty, justice and equality, as well as ensuring the implementation of the rule of law and order. Thirdly, Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula poses a real threat to national stability. It also jeopardizes the daily lives of citizens in their movements and efforts to eke out their livelihoods. Yemen therefore needs support in further strengthening its economy. As has been said, we cannot combat Al-Qaida through military force alone; we must also establish development and cultural programmes, education and recovery projects as well as other types of initiative. We must therefore further strengthen the Government’s capacity to reinforce such programmes. Moreover, I welcome the efforts of the brave military and security forces who, working alongside the national committees, are carrying out heroic feats in Abin province. In that regard, I should like to convey my condolences to the family members of those who have been martyred; may they rest in peace. I also wish a speedy recovery to those who have been injured. Fourthly, 1 million refugees from the Horn of Africa are also adding to the burden on our Government. The international community must therefore coordinate its efforts to help support our economy. We welcome the role played by our brothers and friends in the friends of Yemen group, which plans to hold a donor conference from 27 to 29 June in the friendly country of Saudi Arabia. We hope that the meeting will further support the aspirations of the Yemeni people and that it will help to meet their needs by establishing economic and political stability. Furthermore, necessary financing must be provided for those programmes in order to respond to the needs pursuant to the document adopted by our Government. The amount required exceeds $7 billion.

There are no more speakers on my list. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.