S/PV.9958 Security Council

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2025/462, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by Greece and the United States of America. 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 12 votes in favour, none against and 3 abstentions The draft resolution has been adopted as resolution 2787 (2025). I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements after the voting.

Resolution 2787 (2025) is recognition of the need for continued vigilance from the Council against the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist threat. Just last week, the Secretary-General transmitted to Council members a statement (SG/SM/22724) describing Houthi attacks against two civilian cargo vessels, the MV Magic Seas and the MV Eternity C These attacks serve to remind us once again of the Houthis’ terrorist tactics, of their willingness to attack civilian targets, to take the lives of innocent seafarers, to engage in hostage-taking and to risk severe economic and environmental damage in Yemen and other countries throughout the region. These attacks have compromised the free passage of commerce through the Red Sea. By some reports, these attacks have also more than doubled the cost of insuring commercial vessels operating in the Red Sea. The United States strongly condemns these unprovoked terrorist attacks, which demonstrate the threat that the Houthis pose to freedom of navigation and to regional economic and maritime security. We demand that all Houthi attacks against vessels transiting the Red Sea cease immediately and permanently. The United States also demands that the Houthis immediately and unconditionally release all of the crew members of the MV Eternity C whom they have kidnapped. Finally, we condemn Iran’s ongoing violations of resolution 2216 (2015), which enable Houthi terrorism like these attacks against commercial vessels. The Council must not tolerate Iran’s defiance of its resolutions. The recent unprovoked attacks against two commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea region, namely the MV Magic Seas and the MV Eternity C, provide a clear testament of Houthis’ continuous aggressiveness and destabilizing role, as well as of the need to keep the reporting mechanism in place. The ferocity of these attacks led to the sinking of both vessels and the loss of lives of at least four seafarers. Some were injured, while many are still missing. A number of them are reportedly being detained by the Houthis, and their fate is still unknown. There is no justification for any attack against the life and well-being of innocent seafarers, whose contribution to international maritime trade is irreplaceable. Maritime security and freedom of navigation need to be upheld in the Red Sea region, as they are essential for the stability of global supply chains and international economic development. In that context, Houthi attacks continue to feed mistrust and fear among the international maritime community. If the Red Sea region, a critical international maritime route, becomes even more degraded, it will expose the international community to more acute security risks and economic uncertainty. Finally, we call on all Member States to respect and fully implement the targeted arms embargo established in resolution 2216 (2015) and subsequent resolutions. All attacks against commercial and merchant vessels must seize immediately in order to re-establish stability and prosperity in the Red Sea region and beyond.

As a nation deeply invested in Red Sea stability, we supported resolution 2787 (2025). Our vote reflects a strong commitment to maritime security in the Red Sea, which is vital for both our region and global commerce. We recognize the seriousness of the current threats and their wide-ranging implications, including to economic security, as well as environmental risks. This resolution is a constructive step, but its success depends on the careful consideration of regional sensitivities and realities. Security in the Red Sea is inseparably linked to the stability of its coastal States and the broader peace process. Lasting solutions must address the root causes while respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States in the region. Somalia remains committed to working with all partners to achieve those objectives. We believe that the primary responsibility of Red Sea security rests with its littoral States, alongside robust international support. Moving forward, progress requires patience, wisdom and steadfast commitment to diplomacy. We must avoid actions that could escalate tensions and work to address the legitimate concerns of all stakeholders. Somalia stands ready to help ensure that the Red Sea remains a vital corridor for peace and prosperity, connecting nations and peoples.

Algerian’s decision to abstain in the voting today on resolution 2787 (2025) is in line with its principled positions, including its abstention on resolutions 2722 (2024), 2739 (2024) and 2768 (2025). This abstention must not be interpreted as a reservation on the monthly reports submitted by the Secretary-General on the situation in the Red Sea, nor should it be interpreted as an acceptance or justification of the attacks targeting commercial vessels or cargo carriers. We reiterate the importance of those reports. We firmly uphold regional and maritime navigation security, the freedom of navigation and the safety of the seafarers. We strongly condemn the attacks in the Red Sea. Moreover, we stress the need to ensure accuracy and objectivity. We regret that there is no clear reference in resolution 2722 (2024) to the catastrophic situation in Gaza. That is a core reason or at least one of the catalytic factors for current tensions in the Red Sea and the region at large. In that vein, we must stress the pressing need to ensure an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. We must allow the influx of humanitarian assistance to the people of the Gaza Strip while lifting the unjust siege imposed on it. The Security Council cannot disregard the clear nexus between the attacks in the Red Sea and the aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza, nor the depth of feeling triggered by the brutal massacres committed against innocent civilians . In conclusion, we continue urging all parties to exercise the highest levels of self restraint and to engage in dialogue so as to avoid further violence and ensure regional stability. That would also safeguard the Yemeni people and the region at large from further suffering. A Yemeni-owned and -led peace process based on the agreed political settlement frameworks has today become more pressing than ever to ensure a durable and comprehensive peace in the region.

The Russian Federation abstained in the voting on resolution 2787 (2025), on the situation in the Red Sea, submitted by our Greek and American colleagues. This document is a direct continuation of notorious resolution 2722 (2024), which continues to raise serious concerns for us, especially with regard to respect for international law. The initial intention of that resolution was good, without a doubt: to ensure freedom of navigation in the waters around Yemen, including in the Red Sea. Yet its practical implementation leaves much to be desired. Some of the language in the document gave ample room for arbitrary interpretations, which already resulted in attempts to exploit the resolution as a justification for the use of force affecting the territory of the sovereign State of Yemen. We therefore underscore that it is unacceptable to misinterpret Security Council resolutions in such a way so as to justify unilateral military ventures. We stand convinced that any steps aimed at stabilizing the situation in Yemen and around Yemen must be taken exclusively through political and diplomatic means. It is difficult to deny the link between the normalization of the situation in the Red Sea and the ongoing overall instability in the region, especially when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We all know full well what steps must be taken to resolve that issue: an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire; the release of all hostages and detainees; and the restoration of full and unimpeded humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip. Unless we improve the situation in the Middle East as a whole, any attempt at local stabilization will have only a limited effect. Only a holistic approach that takes into consideration the full range of interrelated threats and challenges can put this long-suffering region on a path to lasting peace and stability.

Based on the current situation in the Red Sea and Yemen and in line with China’s consistent position, China abstained in the voting on resolution 2787 (2025). I would like to offer an explanation of vote on China’s position. Secondly, China abstained in the voting on resolution 2722 (2024), regarding the situation in the Red Sea, and on related extensions. Following the adoption of that resolution, certain countries took military actions against Yemen, which seriously impacted the Yemeni peace process and exacerbated tensions in the Red Sea, with negative effects that continue to this day. Let me emphasize that Security Council resolutions should not be misinterpreted or abused, and Yemen’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected. Thirdly, tensions in the Red Sea are a major manifestation of the spillover from the Gaza conflict. The resolution of the issues of the Red Sea and Yemen cannot be achieved without easing tensions and de-escalating the overall situation in the region. The international community must summon a greater sense of urgency, work to promote an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and fully restore humanitarian access. China will work with all parties to achieve positive results during the high- level meeting on the implementation of the two-State solution, scheduled for the end of the month.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Pakistan. We voted in favour of resolution 2787 (2025), reaffirming our principled stance on upholding maritime security and denouncing attacks on all commercial shipping. In line with Pakistan’s long-standing position, we strongly condemn the recent attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and the tragic loss of innocent civilian lives. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and call for the immediate and unconditional release of all crew members currently being held. Given the current context, the extension of the reporting mandate remains an important step. We also underscore the strategic importance of the Red Sea maritime corridor, not only as a lifeline for global trade, but also as a key conduit for humanitarian assistance for Yemen. All attacks on commercial and merchant vessels navigating the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden must cease immediately and permanently, in full respect of international law. We would also like to emphasize that the international community’s response to the situation must also conform fully with international law. At the same time, it is imperative to address the underlying root causes of regional instability and to actively support diplomatic efforts towards de-escalation. Preventing further regional spillover of the conflict and its destabilizing consequences is essential, not only to curb attacks on commercial shipping, but also to safeguard broader regional peace and security. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers.