Statement by Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the United Nations Samuel Žbogar at UNSC meeting on the situation in the Middle East

Thank you very much Mr. President, and thanks also to Special Envoy Grundberg and Under-Secretary-General Fletcher for their briefings and their relentless efforts. We also thank Ms. Nasser for sharing firsthand testimony and perspectives from Yemeni civil society, and we thank all for their recommendations and messages to the Council. We also welcome the Permanent Representative of Yemen in the chamber.

President,

Since our last discussion on Yemen at the Council, the region has seen further escalation, from which it is still reeling. Regrettably, hostilities between the Houthis and Israel continue, and this week saw the resumption of attacks by the Houthis against commercial vessels in the Red Sea. We condemn the attacks against the vessels ‘Magic Seas’ and ‘Eternity C’, which have tragically resulted in the loss of civilian lives. These attacks threaten regional peace and security, and have potentially dire humanitarian, environmental and commercial consequences. In response, EU Operation ASPIDES continues to play its part to safeguard maritime security and freedom of navigation.

We also condemn continued Houthi targeting of Israel, as well as strikes by Israel against critical civilian infrastructure in Yemen, as recently as this week. International humanitarian law must be respected by all and at all times.  

We echo the Secretary-General in calling for “de-escalation, diplomacy and dialogue.” There is a clear need for maximum restraint by all parties, in a region already marked by turmoil.

Meanwhile, President, for a decade the Yemeni people have been trapped in a vicious cycle of food insecurity. The deepening humanitarian crisis continues to cause immense suffering across the country. Ms. Nasser’s compelling briefing today has left us in no doubt about the scale and urgency of the situation. The recently published IPC figures for Yemen, as outlined by Under-Secretary-General Fletcher, paint a stark picture of whole communities on the brink of famine or what is classified as “catastrophic levels” of food insecurity, as early as September. It is clear that collective action is needed to prevent yet another human tragedy from becoming a legacy of our generation.

We repeat our call for the release of all UN and humanitarian personnel detained by the Houthis, which is not only inhumane, but compounds the already dire situation. Likewise we call for the release of all detained journalists and members of civil society.

President,

Last month we spoke of the remarkable resilience of the Yemeni people and the power of local leadership, welcoming the agreement reached to open a key road connecting Aden and Sana’a, which is already delivering dividends. Today, Slovenia welcomes the report by Under-Secretary-General Fletcher on the engagement of the United Nations, to manage the water supply and restore water access on both sides of the frontlines.  We know that one of the most pressing and sometimes overlooked consequences of war is disruption to water and sanitation services. Slovenia hopes that this agreement can help to restore Yemeni livelihoods and address a host of other interconnected issues, from malnutrition to the spread of disease. 

It is clear that progress is possible. What is required is courage and commitment by all parties – a commitment to peace and to the needs and aspirations of the Yemeni people, above all. We repeat our longstanding and urgent call for reinvigorated discussions on a nationwide ceasefire and progress towards an inclusive UN-led peace process. We cannot agree more with the Special Envoy’s statement that military option is an illusion.

Further escalation, further violence, serves no one.

Thank you.

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