Statement on the situation in Yemen
13 February 2025 – Statement by the Republic of Slovenia at the meeting on the situation in the Middle East, Yemen
Statement by the Republic of Slovenia at the meeting on the cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security (League of Arab States)
Thank you Mr. President,
I wish to thank Assistant-Secretary Khiari and Mr. Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League, for their briefings.
Mr. President,
The League of Arab States and the United Nations share a common mission: the protection and promotion of peace and security through solidarity and cooperation. Arab League is therefore an important partner to this Council. We support the League’s proactive engagement in a range of situations from early warning and prevention to peacekeeping, peacebuilding and sustaining peace.
With this in mind, Slovenia as a Security Council Presidency last September organized a High-Level Informal Interactive Dialogue on Cooperation between the two organizations. The dialogue offered space for a frank exchange of views on the latest development in the region.
Let me mention four out of many concrete examples, where we can work together in order to achieve the goal of peace and security.
First, Syria. The country has a historic opportunity to reunite and rebuild after over a decade of conflict. The involvement of Arab League will be pivotal in supporting Syria’s reconstruction and fostering international legitimacy for its new leadership. Slovenia underlines the importance of an inclusive, Syrian-led, Syrian-owned political process that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, in line with the Resolution 2254. In this regard, we call for full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women at all levels of these processes. We also stress the need to restore justice and ensure accountability.
It is imperative to ensure respect for human rights, including women’s rights, non-sectarian governance, and the protection of persons belonging to religious and ethnic minorities. We welcome continued active involvement of the League of Arab States in cooperation with the UN in assisting Syria towards a better future.
Second. Slovenia welcomes the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and urges all parties to uphold and implement their commitments. The ceasefire must not be an end itself but a stepping stone toward a permanent peace.
The ceasefire must firstly translate into safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and urgent and substantive scaling up of aid. And it must lead to lasting peace. We remain firmly convinced that implementation of the two-state solution is the only viable path to peace in the Middle East. It is critical to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete actions to ensure its realization, as it constitutes a central element of regional security.
The League of Arab States has an important role to play. We commend the Arab Peace Initiative, offering a valuable framework for a just, lasting, and comprehensive resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Third. In Yemen the situation remains precarious, and we call upon all parties, including the Houthis, to engage constructively with the UN Special Envoy to achieve a nationwide ceasefire and a lasting and inclusive political solution.
Finally, in Sudan thousands have lost their lives, millions are facing the terrifying threat of hunger and many are dying of famine as a consequence of war. This humanitarian catastrophe underscores the urgency of an immediate halt of all hostilities and delivery of the humanitarian aid. We remain steadfast in our support for diplomatic avenues to end the conflict, including the efforts led by Personal Envoy Lamamra, alongside international and regional actors, including the Arab League.
Mr. President,
In this complex regional context, the League’s commitment to the various UN mediation efforts in the region and on the humanitarian front remains crucial. Further on, strengthening cooperation between the Arab League and the UN also remains critical in addressing global challenges, such as climate change. As we witness the impact of climate change on security and stability, it is essential to strengthen the cooperation on this issue. We call upon member states of the Arab League to join the UN Climate, Peace and Security Mechanism.
Mr. President,
Let me end by stressing that it is only through collective action and collaboration that we can effectively address global and regional challenges. And it is in this spirit that Slovenia is looking forward to continue working together with the League of Arab States.
I thank you.
13 February 2025 – Statement by the Republic of Slovenia at the meeting on the situation in the Middle East, Yemen
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