Statement by the Republic of Slovenia at the UNSC Briefing on Yemen

Thank you very much President, and thanks also to today’s briefers: Special Envoy Grundberg, Director Wosorno, and Ms. Shakir. I also note the presence of the Yemeni Ambassador at the meeting.  

President, I begin by once again stating Slovenia’s commitment to long-term peace in Yemen and our support to the ongoing UN efforts to that end. The vision of the Special Envoy for the ceasefire and the roadmap leading to an inclusive political process in Yemen is the best possible chance for achieving peace after nine long years of war.

We must not lose sight of the ultimate aim. We call on all parties to engage constructively with the Special Envoy and to prioritise de-escalation and dialogue, at a very fragile time for Yemen and the region – in the turmoil of the catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.

We reiterate our support to the internationally-recognised Government of Yemen and congratulate His Excellency Zindani on his appointment as Foreign Minister. We furthermore emphasise the importance of an effective and united Presidential Leadership Council. All parties must actively prepare for an intra-Yemeni political process, which we hope can commence in the very near future. The process in which women will fully, equally and meaningfully participate.

And we once again clearly call for the immediate cessation of Houthi attacks which have continued in the Red Sea and which undermine peace efforts, as demanded in Resolution 2722. The attacks reported against civilian homes in Al Baydha governorate in recent weeks are also deeply shocking and should fully be investigated.

President, we have heard today that humanitarian needs in Yemen remain alarmingly high. While Ramadan brought some respite, food insecurity and malnutrition have surged in recent months, posing a real threat to the lives and wellbeing of millions of Yemenis, particularly women and children. Ensuring that humanitarian aid is available and accessible is the foremost priority.

We welcome the commencing of a pilot retargeting exercise by the World Food Programme and hope that it will be possible to resume broader food distribution soon. We reiterate our strong support to the work of OCHA and agencies on the ground, and well as for UNVIM, which is crucial in ensuring Yemenis have access to the food they so desperately need. Meeting Yemen’s humanitarian needs is a necessary first step that has to be followed by long-term, sustainable solutions, underpinned by lasting peace.

President, our civil society briefer today has made abundantly clear that climate change is exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation – affecting the availability of critical resources for Yemenis, displacing them time and time again, and driving local-level tensions and conflict. As we fast approach the rainy season, we know that Yemenis like Ms. Shakir are once again fearing terrible flooding, like we have witnessed in recent years.

Meanwhile, every drop of water is precious in Yemen – one of the world’s most water-scarce countries. Regrettably, the absence of appropriate infrastructure means rainwater is not harvested for water supply.

This is why the European Union is supporting sustainable initiatives on the ground to improve water access, and humanitarian efforts which prioritise emergency preparedness and response. We call on the Government of Yemen to ensure that its policies, including at the local level, are inclusive and sensitive to natural resource management and the many climate and water-related challenges the country is facing. 

President in conclusion, we hope that with the political will of all actors in Yemen, and with much needed de-escalation in the region, the momentum needed to once again move forward on the path to peace in Yemen can soon be restored.

Thank you.  

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