S/PV.9978 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Yemen to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Mr. Hans Grundberg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen; and Mr. Ramesh Rajasingham, Director of the Coordination Division and Head and Representative of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Geneva. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I give the floor to Mr. Grundberg. Mr. Grundberg: Regional turmoil continues to erode prospects for peace and stability in Yemen, where the situation remains deeply fragile. There is an urgent need for proactive and pragmatic measures that can pave the way for peace in Yemen. We must remain steadfast in our shared efforts to propel Yemen towards a future where the country is at peace with itself and the region. Last month, when I briefed the Security Council (see S/PV.9954), I outlined three priorities to lay the groundwork for lasting solutions to Yemen. The first was supporting de-escalation on the front lines and working with parties on the tenets of a ceasefire. While the front lines have mostly seen stable levels of hostility, on 25 July, we saw a significant assault on the Aleb front in Sa’ada Governorate resulting in high numbers of fatalities and injuries on both sides. We are also seeing Ansar Allah fortifying its positions, including around Al-Hudaydah City. These developments are concerning and highlight the need for active de-escalation and security dialogue between the parties. Last week, my office concluded the latest series of meetings with Government of Yemen and regional security actors under the auspices of the United Nations-facilitated Military Coordination Committee. The work of the Committee is crucial to de-escalation along the front lines and preparations to implement and manage a future ceasefire. Over the course of the week, the parties discussed the role of the Committee in de-escalation along those front lines that have experienced renewed hostilities over the past year. They also addressed challenges in the maritime domain, exploring options that could be pursued in the event of a return to ceasefire negotiations. The second priority is establishing a path for talks between the parties, in line with the commitments made towards the road map in December 2023. To not lose sight of these commitments, it is essential that measures that build trust and improve the day-to-day lives of Yemenis continue. In that regard, we are seeing positive and ongoing momentum to address road access in different parts of the country and notably the route connecting Al-Bayda and Abyan Governorates. I want to acknowledge the valuable contributions made by civil society in advancing these efforts and express my full support for these initiatives. I encourage the parties to open more key roads and to take further steps to facilitate the movement of people and commercial activity. My office remains ready to support efforts towards this goal. The parties can also make progress towards broader political talks by finding solutions and compromises that enable the effective functioning of Yemen’s economy to deliver goods and services for all. In recent discussions with Government To make continued progress, as I have said before, the parties must take actions that build trust and good faith. Unfortunately, we have seen the opposite in the past month, with unilateral and escalatory decisions that risk deepening divisions within institutions and State structures. There are numerous examples of such decisions. One is the issuance of the new 50 rial coin and 200 rial note by Ansar Allah, which contributes to the fragmentation of the Yemeni rial and complicates future discussions to unify the Yemeni economy and its institutions. There are several other examples of unilateral decisions, aimed at dividing institutions rather than unifying them. These are steps in the wrong direction. Instead, I strongly encourage dialogue between parties, which is the only way to bring about long-term sustainable solutions on all matters that affect the day to day lives of Yemenis. The third priority is the continued work with the region and the international community to stabilize and support Yemen. This includes addressing the need for security guarantees, including with respect to the Red Sea. The recent seizure, off the Red Sea coast of Yemen, of a significant cache of weapons and technology, once again underscores the importance of reminding all Member States of their obligation to fully comply with the Security Council resolutions concerning the United Nations arms embargo. Following the sinking of two ships off the west coast of Yemen in early July, some of the surviving crew members of the MV Eternity C have still not been repatriated to their home countries. I strongly encourage Ansar Allah to enable their immediate repatriation. For Yemen to have a real chance for peace, it must be protected from being further drawn into the ongoing regional turmoil, emanating out of the war in Gaza. Therefore, the strikes against civilian ships in the Red Sea must cease. The missile attacks against Israel, and the subsequent Israeli strikes on Yemen, must also come to an end. Beyond complicating the mediation space for a long-term settlement of the conflict in Yemen, this escalation has led to the near destruction of Yemen’s west coast port facilities. This is placing immense strain on Yemen’s vital infrastructure. As an example, unloading at Saleef port took three times as long last month compared to June. Only two ships berthed in July and spent the entire month there. The increased waiting and unloading times at both Al-Hudaydah and Saleef ports are a major source of concern, with both ports serving as critical entry points for essential food commodities. This trajectory can be stopped. But instead, we see escalation, notably the announcement by Ansar Allah on 27 July, expanding the scope of vessels that it would target. A de-escalation in violence and a renewed focus on diplomacy are urgently needed to protect both the people of Yemen and provide broader regional stability. Today is International Youth Day. In Yemen, the role of youth in overcoming hurdles towards a political process is not to be underestimated. In all of Yemen’s significant moves towards peace and prosperity, young people have been in the The 23 United Nations detainees, alongside those from national and international non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations and diplomatic missions, remain in a desperate situation. This is unacceptable. They need to be released unconditionally and immediately. I want to, again, thank the Council for its continued advocacy for the release of these detainees, as well as for its broader support for Yemen. As I have said so many times before, reaching a sustainable solution to the situation in Yemen is not only possible, but it is essential. While there are no simple solutions to the challenges we face, we must strengthen our collective efforts, guided by our shared commitment to lasting progress in Yemen.

I thank Mr. Grundberg for his briefing. I now give the floor to Mr. Rajasingham. Mr. Rajasingham: I thank Special Envoy Grundberg for his briefing and his update, and the Council for its sustained interest in Yemen. At the outset, let me reiterate that a political solution remains the only sustainable, concrete path towards a more secure and prosperous future for all people in Yemen. Without it, current cycles of violence, both local and regional, along with economic devolution and endemic humanitarian need, will persist. The crisis in Yemen is a political crisis with a staggering impact on millions of people and their communities — people who do not choose who controls the areas where they live. Humanitarian assistance can work to keep people alive, but only a political solution can make them safe. Last month, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs provided the Council with an update on the deteriorating state of food security in Yemen. The numbers bear repeating. More than 17 million people are going hungry. This figure may crest to 18 million by February next year. Women and children bear the brunt of this disaster. Yemen is now one of the most food insecure countries in the world. As the economy continues to collapse and pressures on the food pipelines mount, many households with access to food can no longer afford it. Livelihoods across the public sector and agriculture and fisheries industries, among others, have been disrupted by ongoing conflict. It is all too easy to reduce Yemen’s crisis to numbers. But let us consider what food insecurity means today for ordinary Yemenis. Half of the nation’s children under the age of 5 suffer from acute malnutrition, and nearly half suffer from stunting. This means developmental delays and infections, and a risk of death from common illnesses 9 to 12 times higher than average. In a context in which healthcare is desperately inadequate, and in which support services are unavailable to many, this is a life-or-death gamble for children. For 9-month-old Ahmed in the Abs district in Hajjah Governorate, lack of food and nutrients left him less than two thirds of a healthy weight, so frail that he could not sit up, and suffering from severe diarrhoea and a high fever. His mother, Hafsa, was doing her best under appallingly difficult circumstances, but Ahmed still required emergency treatment for severe acute malnutrition, complicated by infection — all this, at only 9 months of age. This is not an isolated story. It is the daily reality for thousands of families and their children. They deserve better. Hunger forces people to have to make terrible decisions — negative coping strategies as we frequently refer to them. But what does this mean in real human terms? In rural areas of the Governorates of Al-Mahwit, Al-Hudaydah and Sana’a, it means families are having to sell off everything that would sustain their livelihoods in the long term — livestock, tools, their agricultural land — just to afford food for tomorrow. It means that children are forced to work instead of going to school. And it means that women and adolescent girls face heightened risks of domestic violence, exploitation or child marriage. In these three governorates alone, more than 30,000 women and girls have sought support services for gender-based violence, just in the past six months. Nearly one third of women now aged from 20 to 24 were married before they were 18. Nearly one in 10 were married before they turned 15. Among girls in displaced communities, those figures are even higher. These families and these girls also deserve better. Starvation is preventable, and humanitarian organizations remain on the ground despite limited resources and operational challenges, with the singular goal of reaching those most at risk before it is too late. After receiving alarming information regarding the acute food insecurity and malnutrition situation in IDP camps in the Abs district last month, for example, the humanitarian system, including the United Nations, international non-governmental organizations, local non-governmental organizations and the Red Cross and Red Crecent Movement, quickly mobilized to provide life-saving interventions. Humanitarian partners have prioritized 8.8 million of the most at-risk people in the food response, who are all in emergency or catastrophic situations. It will come as no surprise that such efforts require support, both political and financial. In addition to the work of our international partners to support those in need, we are ensuring that local actors are empowered and resourced to respond in the most efficient and effective ways. The Yemen Humanitarian Fund will be releasing $20 million to address the negative impacts of food insecurity. This allocation will be guided by front-line responders and local communities — those who know where the needs are greatest and how best to respond. This funding will be focused on reaching those suffering the most. It can help prevent a parent feeling they have no option but to sell a daughter into early marriage. It can help protect a displaced family from relinquishing the last of its assets. And it can help ensure that the most vulnerable, including displaced people, refugees and migrants, have access to urgent nutrition, healthcare and clean water. This year, two thirds of allocations from the Yemen Humanitarian Fund have gone directly to local partners, and we hope to make continued use of that resource as a nimble, flexible and fast vehicle to address critical life-saving needs. Alongside support for the Special Envoy’s efforts towards a political solution and the release of detainees, I am focusing my calls to action for this month on two things: first, increased funding now to scale up urgent emergency food and nutrition support and, secondly, direct financial support for the Yemen Humanitarian Fund. Given the right tools, local partners can make a huge difference.

I thank Mr. Rajasingham for the information that he provided. We express our gratitude and appreciation to the Special Envoy of the Secretary- General for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, and to the Head and Representative of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Geneva, Ramesh Rajasingham. The Republic of Panama profoundly regrets and acknowledges that the food security situation in Yemen is alarming and continuing to deteriorate by the day, becoming one of the worst humanitarian crises worldwide. Currently, more than half of the population — approximately 17.1 million people — are confronting severe levels of food insecurity. This crisis is disproportionately affecting internally displaced persons, many of whom are already living in conditions of extreme vulnerability and are facing increasing risks of succumbing to catastrophic food insecurity. We acknowledge and value the efforts of OCHA, whose dedication has been fundamental in raising awareness about the crisis and channelling humanitarian assistance. The endeavours of humanitarian workers are crucial to alleviating the suffering of millions of Yemenis and to sustaining decent living conditions in such a complex and challenging context. Accordingly, Panama renews its urgent appeal for the immediate and unconditional release of all persons arbitrarily detained, including United Nations and national and international non-governmental organization staff and members of civil society and the diplomatic corps. Such detentions are wholly unacceptable and antithetical to international law and the fundamental principles of this Organization. We express our firm objection and condemnation in that regard. In line with our principled position, we consider it crucial for the Council to maintain a clear and robust stance. Strategic maritime routes must remain safe, free and open spaces for navigation. That need was highlighted by numerous delegations at yesterday’s debate (see S/PV.9977). Under no circumstances must strategic maritime routes become instruments of pressure, coercion or confrontation, not least given the upsurge in conflicts and tensions in the region. The stability of those routes is an essential pillar for international peace and security and for supply chains to operate. In this context, taking seafarers hostage constitutes a grave violation of international law and the most fundamental of humanitarian principles and cannot be countenanced. We therefore reaffirm our utmost condemnation of the illegal and unjustified attacks on merchant ships and commercial vessels in the Red Sea perpetrated by the Houthis. Those acts represent a serious threat to international maritime security and must cease immediately. We call on all parties to refrain from unilateral action and to commit to a coordinated approach that is grounded in dialogue and puts the welfare of the Yemeni people first. In that vein, Panama remains firmly committed to the quest for an inclusive, lasting and peaceful political solution to the conflict in Yemen through constructive dialogue and cooperation with all actors involved. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. Mr. Kariuki (United Kingdom). I thank Special Envoy Grundberg and Director Rajasingham for briefing us today. I will make three points. First, it is now one month since the latest Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, which resulted in the tragic loss of life of at least four crew members. The United Kingdom reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of ongoing Houthi attacks and calls for the immediate release of those taken hostage. As we highlighted in yesterday’s high-level open debate (see S/PV.9977), maritime security must be The Yemen Maritime Security Partnership (YMSP) is an essential mechanism for international cooperation, with the aim of protecting Yemen’s waters, safeguarding maritime trade, combating illicit activities and rebuilding the capabilities of the Yemen coast guard. The United Kingdom is proud to be co-hosting the inaugural YMSP high-level conference on 16 September in Riyadh, alongside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We call upon international partners to join and support that initiative. Secondly, the United Kingdom commends the recent interdiction by forces aligned to the Government of Yemen of 750 tons of weapons intended for the Houthis. That illicit transfer of weapons directly undermines the stability of Yemen and the wider region and is in clear breach of the arms embargo. We call upon all Member States to ensure full compliance with resolution 2216 (2015). Thirdly, as we have heard today, Yemen faces worsening food insecurity. 18.1 million people, more than half the population, are projected to experience increasing food insecurity in the next six months. Some areas are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity for the first time in almost two years. We need quick and collaborative action by the international community in order to reverse that trajectory and to meet the needs of the most vulnerable. The United Kingdom once again reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional release of aid workers arbitrarily detained by the Houthis. Those detentions are making humanitarian access more difficult and dangerous at a time when the needs of Yemenis are rapidly increasing. The United Kingdom remains committed to supporting the efforts the Special Envoy and his team in charting a path towards long-term stability and security. It is what the people of Yemen and the wider region need and deserve.

We welcome you, Mr. Minister, as President of today’s meeting. We would like to thank the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Mr. Hans Grundberg, and the Director of the Coordination Division and Head and Representative of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Geneva, Mr. Ramesh Rajasingham, for their detailed briefings. The situation in this Arab country remains extremely unstable. In a number of areas along the line of control, the security situation has deteriorated, with sporadic exchanges of fire and armed clashes. Fortunately, no large-scale troop movements or active offensive operations by the parties to the conflict have been observed. However, the tense military situation is exacerbating the already difficult socioeconomic realities for the local population, limiting their access to essential goods and services, while humanitarian needs are growing day by day. All those factors are creating an unfavourable backdrop for efforts to normalize the situation in Yemen. As Mr. Ramesh Rajasingham noted today, one of the most pressing humanitarian challenges currently is the chronic food shortage in Yemen. Approximately 17 million people, including children, are undernourished in the country. According to available estimates, that number will increase by another million by the beginning of next year. The situation is especially dire in camps for internally displaced persons. The situation requires urgent rectification. We hope United Nations bodies and agencies working in Yemen will play a more active role in promoting the country’s long-term development and not limit themselves to humanitarian assistance. The assistance is certainly necessary, but it must be accompanied by strategic development programmes. Yemen remains severely affected by regional tensions, which are reflected, among other things, in the unstable situation in the waters adjacent to it. Our position on this issue remains unchanged. Russia categorically condemns any actions that impede freedom of navigation and pose a threat to civilian vessels, their crews and cargo. We continue to call on the leaders of Ansar Allah to exercise restraint and refrain from taking steps that could lead to further escalation. We consider it important to continue working towards long-term stabilization in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden exclusively through political and diplomatic means. An important milestone in this context is that there have not been attacks on commercial vessels for almost six months. It is obvious that one of the factors triggering their resumption is Israel’s ongoing military operation in the Gaza Strip and the de facto humanitarian blockade of the enclave imposed by West Jerusalem. Against that backdrop, many people who care about the suffering of Gaza’s inhabitants are sympathetic to Ansar Allah’s firm stance in defence of the Palestinian cause. This confirms once again that, without a ceasefire in Gaza and a just solution to the Palestinian problem, it is pointless to hope for achieving durable regional de-escalation. The Israeli-Houthi confrontation, which unfortunately continues to escalate, should be seen through the same lens. The Israeli leadership responds to the rockets and unmanned aerial vehicles launched on an almost daily basis from Yemen in its characteristically disproportionate manner, repeatedly authorizing large-scale bombings of Yemeni ports along the coast of the Red Sea. The most recent such air strike took place just over two weeks ago, at same time that staff from the United Nations Mission to Support the Hudaydah Agreement, who were patrolling their areas of responsibility, were in the immediate vicinity of the city. The proper functioning of the Hudaydah port is extremely important for ensuring uninterrupted humanitarian activities in Yemen. At present, however, its infrastructure has been virtually destroyed, and the chances of returning to previous volumes of cargo shipment, which are crucial for supplying the northern provinces of Yemen with everything they need, are extremely low. In that situation, the Israeli leaders are collectively punishing the inhabitants of Yemen and making their lives intolerable. We firmly believe that the optimal scenario for overcoming the problems that have accumulated in and around the country would be a comprehensive inter-Yemeni peace process, with the substantive participation of all parties to the conflict, including Ansar Allah and key countries in the region. We call on Special Envoy Hans Grundberg to actively encourage the Yemeni actors to build trust and resume dialogue with a view to finalizing a road map for resolving the Yemeni situation. At the same time, we believe that it would be in the interests of the Yemenis themselves to show some initiative in this regard. After all, any further deepening of the divisions in the country could undermine any peace initiatives and foment the de facto fragmentation of Yemen. If events unfolded in that way, it could lead to a resumption of active civil war in the country and spiralling consequences for the entire region. We must do all we can to prevent that destructive scenario.

We welcome your presence today, Mr. President. I would also like to begin by expressing our appreciation to the As evidenced by the emergency Security Council meeting convened just two days ago (see S/PV.9975), the situation in the Middle East remains both deeply volatile and alarming. The Republic of Korea is truly and gravely concerned about ongoing potential ripple effects across the region, including in Yemen. In this regard, my delegation believes that now is the time for all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid steps that could further inflame wider regional and global instability. Against this dire backdrop, I would like to deliver the following key points. First, we strongly urge the Houthis to permanently cease all attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea. Following a temporary pause since the end of 2024, Houthi attacks resumed last month. The targeting of the MV Magic Seas and MV Eternity C resulted in casualties for the first time in a year. These unacceptable incidents have disrupted humanitarian and commercial supply routes, driven up the prices of such essential goods as food and fuel and threatened global maritime security. Freedom and safety of navigation in the Red Sea constitute a vital prerequisite, not only for regional security, but also to ensure humanitarian access. Secondly, the Republic of Korea unequivocally demands that the Houthis release all the remaining survivors from the MV Eternity C. Last month, the Houthis released a propaganda video showing 10 survivors of the MV Eternity C attack, claiming that they had been rescued and transferred to a safe place. This narrative obscures the fact that the so-called rescue would never have occurred in the first place without the Houthi attack, which led to the deaths of four crew members from the same vessel. This is simply irrational and deeply disingenuous. We also reiterate our principled call for the Houthis to immediately and unconditionally release all the personnel of United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations and diplomatic missions being arbitrarily detained. Thirdly, we are alarmed by the unprecedented food insecurity and the worsening humanitarian situation of internally displaced persons (IDPs). The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification acute food insecurity analysis recently warned that nearly half of southern Yemen’s population in Government-controlled areas — almost 5 million people — are now experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, and more than 18 million people are projected to face crisis-level hunger — the worst since 2022 — while 4.7 million IDPs endure harsh conditions with limited access to basic services, leaving the vulnerable at greatest risk. The international community must scale up humanitarian support to prevent further tragedies. To this end, the Republic of Korea remains committed to easing the suffering of the Yemeni people. This year, we are providing 23,000 metric tons of rice through the World Food Programme to help alleviate nutritional deficiencies among refugees and internally displaced communities. Lastly, my delegation hopes that the consistent diplomatic efforts by the Special Envoy and the international community will bring the derailed political road map back on track. In order to do so, all parties, especially the Houthis, must prioritize the peace, well-being, prosperity and inclusive future of the Yemeni people. Korea reaffirms its commitment to a Yemeni-led, Yemeni-owned, inclusive political process that can help usher in this brighter, sustainable future for all.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the three African members of the Security Council plus (A3+), namely, Algeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia and my own country, Guyana. We appreciate the valuable updates provided by Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and Mr. Rajasingham on the The Council meets today as Yemen faces a deepening crisis, aggravated by political deadlock, worsening economic and humanitarian conditions and retaliatory strikes between Israel and the Houthis. The A3+ shares the briefers’ concern about the impact of escalatory actions in Yemen and the broader region on the mediation space in Yemen. We urge all parties to de-escalate tensions and exercise restraint. We also call for sustained momentum towards achieving a Yemeni-owned, Yemeni- led political resolution, through an inclusive peace process under United Nations auspices and with the active participation of all stakeholders, including women and youth. We underscore that any further delay in resuming comprehensive political dialogue will only deepen divisions and prolong the suffering of the Yemeni people. It is therefore essential that confidence-building measures, including the reopening of roads, airports and ports, be prioritized to foster trust between the parties and facilitate humanitarian and economic activity. We commend the United Nations Special Envoy and regional partners, especially Saudi Arabia and Oman, for their ongoing efforts and encourage the parties in Yemen to continue working towards breaking the deadlock and achieving lasting peace. We also reiterate our appeal for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, recognizing that the ongoing war has negatively affected peace efforts in Yemen. We are confident that a permanent ceasefire in Gaza will help to de-escalate tensions in the region and promote conditions favourable to sustainable and lasting peace. Additionally, while we note that there were no new incidents in the past month in the Red Sea, the A3+ expresses deep concern about the uncertainty of the situation. We therefore urge the Houthis to release the 10 seafarers being held hostage, who were rescued from the Greek-operated cargo ship MV Eternity C, which the Houthis attacked and sank in the Red Sea last month. Turning to the deepening humanitarian crisis in Yemen, the A3+ remains deeply concerned about the impediments to humanitarian access and the impact of reduced funding on humanitarian operations. With food security projected to worsen in the coming months, we renew our call for the international community to urgently increase support for the humanitarian response and contribute more to the 2025 humanitarian response plan. We are alarmed to hear that the funding crisis is hindering the delivery of critical life-saving assistance, including health and protection services, at a time when more than 19 million people in Yemen still need humanitarian assistance and protection services. We also stress that it is imperative for humanitarians to be able to operate with safety and unimpeded access to deliver aid to those in need, and we demand that the Houthis immediately and unconditionally release all aid workers and staff of United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations and diplomatic missions being arbitrarily detained in Yemen. We further call upon all actors with influence to use their leverage to secure the safe release of these individuals without delay. The targeting, harassment or detention of humanitarian workers not only violates international humanitarian law but also undermines the neutrality and effectiveness of humanitarian operations, placing millions of lives at risk. While the need for increased humanitarian aid to Yemen is urgent, it is important to recognize that such assistance alone cannot resolve the country’s multifaceted crisis. We therefore also emphasize the importance of implementing sustainable economic recovery mechanisms to promote long-term stability in the country. In this regard, we have taken positive note of the Yemen Food Security Response and Resilience Project being implemented by the United Nations Development Programme Finally, the A3+ reiterates its firm support for and commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen. We continue to stand in solidarity with the Yemeni people in their quest for peace, security and dignity, and urge the international community to prioritize Yemen and to provide adequate funding to sustain aid operations and recovery efforts in the country.

I would like to thank Mr. Hans Grundberg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General; and Mr. Ramesh Rajasingham, Director of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs; for their brief­ ings. I also welcome the presence among us of the Permanent Representative of Yemen. France once again condemns the Houthis’ unjustifiable attacks and provocations. Their attacks in the Red Sea must cease, as must those that continue to target Israeli territory. The Council must be able to condemn them unequivocally. The threats that the Houthis pose to maritime traffic constitute an unacceptable impediment to freedom of navigation. France reiterates its commitment to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and around the world. It will continue its involvement in the European Union’s security and defence policy Operation Aspides to protect maritime security and freedom of navigation, in accordance with international law and in coordination with its partners. States supplying arms to the Houthis, notably Iran, must cease doing so. The arms embargo must be respected. France deplores the unacceptable suffering inflicted on civilian populations. The risk of famine is particularly worrisome. The most vulnerable, starting with children and displaced persons, are particularly exposed. Girls suffer both the direct and indirect consequences of food shortages. It is unacceptable that their forced marriage often serves merely to enable their families to raise the money needed to buy food. The Houthis bear primary responsibility for the deterioration of the humanitarian situation. We demand that they lift all obstacles to humanitarian access and unconditionally release all humanitarian and United Nations personnel, as well as the representatives of Yemeni civil society and diplomatic missions who are still being detained. The Council must call on all parties to ensure the protection of civilian infrastructure and populations, in accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law. Ending the conflict in Yemen requires an inclusive political solution, following an inter-Yemeni political process under the auspices of the United Nations. France reiterates its full support for the Special Envoy’s mediation efforts in that regard. This political process must allow for the participation of Yemeni women and youth. Lastly, France reaffirms its commitment to the unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity and stability of Yemen and to regional security.

I welcome the presence of Minister for Foreign Affairs Acha Vásquez, presiding over today’s Council meeting, and I thank Special Envoy Grundberg and Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Director Rajasingham for their briefings. I also welcome the participation of the representative of Yemen at this meeting. Yemen is now in the grips of a persistent political impasse, a fragile security situation and a grim humanitarian crisis. With exchanges of fire between the Houthis and Israel, the Red Sea situation remains tense. The international community should I wish to make three points in that regard. First, the security of the Red Sea shipping lanes must be maintained. Last month, the Houthis attacked two commercial vessels, causing casualties, which China finds deeply concerning. We call on the Houthis to respect the navigational rights of commercial vessels of all countries in the Red Sea in accordance with international law, and to stop harassing or attacking them. The shipping lanes in the Red Sea must be kept safe and secure, and civilians, including seafarers, must be protected. Yemen’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity must also be respected. Secondly, active efforts are needed to move the peace process forward. The Yemeni issue can be resolved only through political means, and the only viable way to achieve that is through dialogue and negotiation. China calls on the two parties to the conflict to resume engagement, seek middle ground, demonstrate true sincerity in resolving their differences, build the broadest consensus for reconciliation and make maximum efforts to restore peace. China supports the work of Special Envoy Grundberg in that regard. Thirdly, the humanitarian crisis must be alleviated as soon as possible. Yemen is experiencing one of the worst food security crises in the world, with nearly half its population facing acute food insecurity and about 4.8 million people displaced. Life is particularly hard for vulnerable groups, including women and children. The international community must ramp up humanitarian assistance to Yemen, support the country’s economic development and efforts to improve its livelihood, and help the Yemeni people get through these difficult times. The safety and security of United Nations personnel and humanitarian workers must be guaranteed. What is happening in Yemen and the Red Sea is closely linked to the overall situation in the Middle East. Two days ago, the Security Council held an emergency meeting in the Chamber on the situation in Gaza (see S/PV.9975). The message from that meeting was clear and unequivocal: the vast majority of Council members opposed Israel’s plan to take over Gaza, its continued military operations there and its weaponization of humanitarian aid. The international community must take all actions necessary to bring the fighting in Gaza to an end without delay, mitigate the impact of the humanitarian catastrophe and de-escalate the overall situation in the Middle East.

We warmly welcome you, Mr. President, presiding over today’s meeting. Yemen continues to face one of the world’s most serious humanitarian and political crises. Millions are enduring hunger, disease and economic collapse; the political process is stalled; and the security situation remains deeply troubling. This cannot be allowed to persist. The people of Yemen deserve a future of peace, dignity and security — not perpetual conflict. We thank Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and Office for the Coordination of Hu­ manitarian Affairs Director Rajasingham for their briefings and appreciate the con­ tinued United Nations efforts and political and humanitarian engagement, including the recent technical meetings in Amman under the Military Coordination Committee. Yet the implementation of the December 2023 road map, which we believe is a viable framework for peace, has been painfully slow. There is an urgent need to break the current stalemate through renewed political will and concrete steps towards an inclusive peace process and political settlement. Yemen’s economic situation remains dire, which has been further compounded by unilateral monetary measures that risk fragmenting the financial system and undermining the 23 July 2024 understanding on economic de-escalation. It requires urgent coordinated action to stabilize the economy and deliver immediate relief. Pakistan condemns the recent attacks on commercial shipping and the detention of seafarers, including the loss of civilian lives, as well as strikes on civilian infrastructure. Such actions not only exacerbate Yemen’s fragility but also threaten regional peace and stability. Pakistan calls for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy to safeguard peace across the Middle East. We reiterate our strong condemnation of the continued arbitrary detention of United Nations personnel, humanitarian workers and diplomatic staff by the Houthis and demand their immediate and unconditional release. In conclusion, Pakistan reaffirms its support for the United Nations-led peace process in close coordination with the countries of the region and stands ready to work with all Council members to advance a negotiated settlement, alleviate humanitarian suffering and help Yemen to move towards lasting peace.

I thank you, Mr. President, Foreign Minister Javier Martínez Acha Vásquez. I also thank Special Envoy Grundberg and Director Rajasingham for their briefings. I would also like to welcome the representative of the Republic of Yemen to this briefing. Last month, the United States condemned the Houthis’ unprovoked terror attacks in the Red Sea against two civilian cargo vessels, the MV Magic Seas and MV Eternity C. The latter attack resulted in the tragic loss of at least four mariners, with many others injured, and the complete loss of both ships. After hampering rescue efforts, the Houthis then kidnapped, and continue to detain, at least 11 crew members of the MV Eternity C, adding to the numbers they have unjustifiably detained. We call for the kidnapped crew members’ immediate and unconditional release, just as we continue to call for the release of all those United Nations, non-governmental organization and diplomatic staff held for more than a year. The attacks on commercial vessels are a clear demonstration of the Houthis’ destabilizing presence in the region and interference with freedom of navigation. They also demonstrate Houthi responsibility for severe economic, environmental and security threats against the people of Yemen and the region. In the wake of these unjustified attacks, the Houthis amplified their threats against commercial maritime traffic through the Red Sea and issued specific threats against ships that dock at Is­ raeli ports. As recently as 8 August, the Houthis fired a missile at Israel, targeting Ben Gurion Airport. We stand with Israel on its right to self-defence against the Houthis. Iran’s defiance of the Security Council’s resolutions enables the Houthis to escalate regional tensions. Iran’s continued support for the Houthis also poses a threat to the people of Yemen and to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. In that regard, the United States commends Yemeni Government-aligned forces for their July seizure of at least 750 tons of Iranian weapons bound for the Houthis. We urge the Secretariat to facilitate an inspection of that seizure by the Panel of Experts on Yemen as soon as possible. Houthi actions also threaten the well-being of the people of Yemen. Houthi attacks on commercial shipping advance their own interests with little regard for how they affect the region or the Yemeni people. The attacks have made it more difficult to get basic goods and humanitarian assistance to Yemen and other countries in the Last month, the Council reauthorized the United Nations Mission to Support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA) through 28 January 2026 (see S/PV.9957). The United States looks forward to the Secretary-General’s review, due before 28 November. We fully expect that the review will focus on delivering efficiencies across United Nations presences in Yemen. I reiterate the view of the United States that UNMHA should be sunset. The Secretary-General’s review provides an opportunity for the Secretariat to consider how to reconfigure its operations on the ground. This should be done with an eye towards the imperative of the United Nations to streamline operations and optimize resource allocation. The Secretary- General’s review must recognize that UNMHA’s time has passed. The United States has overwhelmingly borne the costs of defending freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. So, once again, we call for financial support for the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM). The fact that the Houthis asked the Secretary- General to abolish UNVIM points to its effectiveness in preventing illicit shipments of weapons to the Houthis. This is particularly true since UNVIM improved the effectiveness of its operations through the physical inspection of 100 per cent of containerized cargo.

We also welcome your presence at this meeting today, Mr. President. At the outset, I thank Special Envoy Grundberg and Director Rajasingham for their briefings. I also welcome the representative of Yemen to this meeting. The latest period in the region has continued down a volatile path. Regrettably, Yemen has not been spared. The Houthis’ continued escalation threatens to drag it even further into the abyss. Let me address three points today. First, Denmark strongly condemns the Houthis’ continued attacks in the Red Sea and their threats of further escalation. These attacks endanger not only regional and international security but also international trade, freedom of navigation, innocent seafarers and the marine environment. Recent videos of forced confessions by the crew members of the MV Eternity C, who remain detained by the Houthis, are completely unacceptable. All detained crew members must be immediately and unconditionally released and allowed to return home. At the same time, the Houthis continue their missile and drone attacks against Israel. We condemn these attacks and reiterate our call on all Member States, in particular Iran, to respect the arms embargo on the Houthis. Furthermore, we recall all parties’ obligation to respect international humanitarian law and to protect civilian infrastructure, civilians and United Nations personnel. Secondly, regarding the political situation, despite Special Envoy Grundberg’s extensive efforts towards a resumption of the political process, progress regrettably remains limited. We regret that the Houthis have been escalating the economic conflict by printing new bank notes, in violation of the economic understanding of 23 July 2024. Neither party will benefit from a new economic conflict that risks jeopardizing the stability of an already fragile economy, and nor will the civilian Yemeni population. We call on the parties to demonstrate a sincere commitment My third point is that the humanitarian situation in Yemen continues to grow more dire. As we heard today, food insecurity is rampant. For many Yemenis, daily life is becoming unbearable. Even as temperatures soar, some must endure up to 20 hours a day without electricity. Living conditions are deteriorating, and protests in Government-controlled areas are mounting as a result. Political and financial reforms are prerequisites for improving the situation. The Government of Yemen must speed up efforts to implement these reforms to ensure effective governance and to reinforce the unity of the Presidential Leadership Council. More must be done to meet the rising humanitarian needs, in particular for the most vulnerable. Denmark will continue to play our part, having donated more than $215 million in its humanitarian response since the beginning of the conflict. Finally, we reiterate our call on the Houthis to immediately and unconditionally release all detained humanitarian workers. In conclusion, the path forward is clear: an immediate cessation of hostilities, a genuine commitment to political dialogue and a concerted effort to address the humanitarian catastrophe. Denmark remains steadfast in its support for the Yemeni people and will continue to work with the Council to seek a peaceful resolution.

We welcome, Mr. Minister, your presence in this meeting today. I also thank Special Envoy Grundberg and Director Rajasingham for their briefings, and I welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Yemen. Regional tensions are increasingly escalating and further threaten the security situation on the ground, within and around Yemen. The danger of the resumption of hostilities should not be underestimated, as Special Envoy Grundberg has already flagged. I wish to highlight the following points. First, Greece firmly condemns recent Houthi attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, as well as attacks against Israel. Violence targeting seafarers and shipping blatantly violates international law and must cease immediately. As a leading maritime nation, Greece is directly affected by maritime security threats. In early July, the Greek-owned vessels MV Magic Seas and MV Eternity C were subjected to an unprovoked and unjustified attack, an attack which led to the loss of four seafarers and the sinking of both vessels, while at least 10 members of the crew were taken hostage. We demand the immediate release of the detained crew members. Greece emphasizes once again the importance of freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandab strait. We stress the need to reinforce the capacity of the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism to uphold the arms embargo, and we commend the Yemeni Government’s recent successful arms seizures. We also emphasize the continued importance of the European Union Naval Operation Aspides, of which Greece is a principal member and contributor, and the defensive mandate of which is pivotal for safeguarding international shipping in the region. In the same spirit, we also call on all Member States to respect and fully implement the targeted arms embargo and prevent any illicit transfers of advanced weaponry and training to the Houthis, consistent with Council resolutions 2216 (2015) and 2624 (2022). We also call urgently for the prompt appointment of the fifth member of the Panel of Experts of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014). Thirdly, the humanitarian situation in Yemen remains dire, as we heard today. Acute food insecurity, lack of clean water and the spread of disease continue to affect large parts of the population, particularly the most vulnerable. The United Nations humanitarian response plan for Yemen must receive urgent support. Moreover, on migration, we deplore the tragic loss of life from the recent shipwreck off Yemen’s coast, involving migrants. We urge the Yemeni authorities to strength­ en efforts, with regional partners, against irregular migration in Yemeni waters. Finally, Greece calls on all Yemeni parties to work together towards a sustainable, permanent ceasefire and a credible, inclusive, Yemeni-led peace process, under United Nations auspices, with the meaningful participation of women and youth. We reaffirm our full support for the Special Envoy’s efforts to reinvigorate the political process in Yemen, with a view to reaching a sustainable and permanent ceasefire towards a final peace settlement.

I welcome you, Mr. Minister, to the Council. I deliver this statement on behalf of the delegations of Guyana and Slovenia, in our capacity as informal co-focal points on conflict and hunger in the Security Council. We would like to thank today’s briefers for their important remarks on the situation in Yemen. Yemen now stands as the fourth most food-insecure country globally. The scale and severity of the crisis are staggering. The Yemeni people continue to bear the brunt of one of the world’s most protracted and complex security and humanitarian emergencies. We are deeply alarmed by the sharp deterioration of the humanitarian situation, particularly the dramatic rise in food insecurity. According to the June Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, nearly 17.1 million people — half of the country’s population — are facing acute food insecurity. More than 5.1 million are now in IPC phase 4, labelled as “emergency”. There are pockets of the population projected to face famine by next month. Chronic malnutrition affects more than half of all children under 5. The total number of people in need of humanitarian assistance has now reached 19.5 million, an increase of 1.3 million compared to last year. These figures are more than statistics. They reflect civilian lives in danger, children growing up hungry and whole communities pushed to the edge of survival. Today, we want to deliver the following messages. First, the crisis is neither new nor inevitable. It is shaped by a convergence of long-standing and escalating drivers — more than a decade of protracted conflict, macroeconomic collapse, port and access constraints, reduced food assistance and recurrent natural disasters. Insecurity in the Red Sea, following Houthi attacks, has disrupted key trade routes, while air strikes on Al-Hudaydah port, which receives up to 80 per cent of food imports into Yemen, have placed additional strain on Yemen’s already fragile, import-dependent food system. With up to 90 per cent of its food supply sourced from abroad, Yemen is among the countries most vulnerable to global disruptions in food supply chains. Finally, humanitarian workers must be able to reach those in need and feed the hungry in a safe and secure operating space. Slovenia and Guyana commend the extraordinary efforts of aid workers from the World Food Programme, UNICEF, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and non-governmental organizations, who risk their lives each day to deliver assistance. But their work is increasingly under threat. We are deeply alarmed by the unacceptable detention of United Nations and humanitarian personnel, both Yemeni and international, by the Houthis in 2023, 2024 and 2025. These actions are a grave violation of international humanitarian law and serve only to deepen the suffering of civilians. Slovenia and Guyana strongly condemn these detentions and call for the immediate release of those detained. The tragic death of a World Food Programme staff member in detention earlier this year underscores the urgency of protecting humanitarian personnel and ensuring accountability. The continued suspension of some of the food shipments since February, following the seizure of aid stocks in Sa‘dah, is yet another deeply concerning example of how access constraints directly endanger civilian lives. We call on all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and to guarantee safe, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access throughout Yemen.

I now give the floor to the representative of Yemen.

I once again thank His Excellency the Ambassador and his friendly country, Panama, commending it on its presidency of the Security Council this month, and I wish him every success. I thank his predecessor, brotherly Pakistan, for its successful presidency last month. I thank Mr. Hans Grundberg and Mr. Ramesh Rajasingham for their briefings. Today Yemen stands on the threshold of a difficult phase after 11 years of the war waged by the Houthi terrorist militias against the State and its constitutional institutions, destroying the hopes and aspirations of a people who yearn for security, stability, dignity, justice, equal citizenship and the construction of a civil State worthy of its ancient history and standing in the region. Despite the efforts that the Presidential Leadership Council and the Yemeni Government are making to advance the peace process and the positive engagement with regional and international efforts and endeavours and with the efforts of the United Nations, through its Special Envoy for Yemen, to end the conflict, the Houthi militias continue to obstruct all these efforts, undermine any opportunities for peace, prolong the conflict and the spiral of violence, plunge Yemen into an unprecedented economic and humanitarian crisis and jeopardize security and stability in the country and the region. Last month, my Government addressed the Council (see S/PV.9954) regarding the Iranian regime’s blatant interference in Yemeni affairs, its flagrant and repeated violations of the Charter of the United Nations, international law and the relevant Security Council resolutions, including systematic violations of the sanctions The Yemeni Government once again calls on the international community and the Council to fulfil its responsibilities; to ensure the implementation of its relevant resolutions on Yemen, foremost among them resolutions 2216 (2015) and 2140 (2014); and to take effective measures to deter the Iranian regime’s blatant interference in Yemeni affairs and stop the smuggling of weapons to the Houthi militias. The Yemeni Government, with the support of the Presidential Leadership Council, is forging ahead with economic, financial, administrative and institutional reforms despite the complexities of the current situation and the Houthi militias’ hostile use of the economy as a bargaining chip to deepen the Yemeni people’s humanitarian catastrophe. It continues to work on implementing a number of urgent priorities in the economic and service sectors. Foremost among those priorities are maintaining the stability of the national currency, improving local revenues, addressing imbalances in vital sectors, protecting the most vulnerable groups and adopting a number of monetary and financial measures in implementing the decisions of the Presidential Leadership Council, in the light of the positive changes in the national currency’s exchange rate. That is a direct result of the integration of the fiscal and monetary policies adopted by the Government during the past period and ensuring that the national currency’s improved exchange rate is reflected in the prices of basic goods and services and the living conditions of citizens. The Yemeni Government calls on brotherly and friendly countries and on international organizations and funds to support its efforts in these exceptional circumstances to confront economic and service challenges and achieve financial and institutional stability. In the current phase, there is an urgent need to reinforce this support in order to enable the Government to consolidate the gains made and ensure that the recovery is sustainable. This support is an essential pillar to overcome the accumulated crises compounded by the Houthi terrorist attacks on oil export ports and the complete cessation of exports, which led to the loss of approximately 70 per cent of the State’s public resources. In this context, we highly value the stance taken by the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the brotherly United Arab Emirates alongside the people and the Government of Yemen and those countries’ continuous interventions in the development and humanitarian domains, which have bolstered Yemen’s steadfastness and its Government’s fulfilment of its ineluctable obligations. In a dangerous escalatory step that is part of the systematic economic war waged by the Houthi militias against the Yemeni people and their national economy, last month these militias announced the minting of counterfeit banknotes and coins and imposed their circulation in the areas under their control, in a move that destroyed the remaining opportunities to end the financial divide and undermined the agreement reached by the Special Envoy for Yemen on 23 July 2024 with regional and international sponsorship with the aim of sparing the financial and banking sector The war has pushed millions of Yemenis into life below the poverty line and into food insecurity, displaced more than four and a half million people into internal displacement camps where they live in extreme conditions, and climate change-related challenges are taking their toll on livelihoods. The impact of these overlapping crises is exacerbated by a sharp decline in funding for humanitarian operations and increasing needs. While we appreciate the efforts undertaken to alleviate the humanitarian suffering in Yemen, we call on the international community and the United Nations to strengthen their support for the humanitarian response in Yemen and close the existing funding gap. In that context, we look forward to the international conference on food security in Yemen, to be held under the auspices of the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council in October. The conference will be an important platform for enhancing cooperation with regional and international partners and developing a practical road map to address the challenges of food security in Yemen. In conclusion, the Presidential Leadership Council and the Yemeni Government reaffirm their commitment to peace and their support for all regional and international efforts and the efforts of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen aimed at achieving a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace in Yemen based on the agreed terms of reference for a political solution, in particular resolution 2216 (2015). They seek to develop a constructive, strategic partnership with the regional and international community to ensure peace, security and stability in Yemen and deal with challenges and terrorist acts in international navigation corridors and global trade.

There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion on the subject.