16 august 2023
Thank you, Madam President.
I thank Special Envoy Grundberg, Director Wosornu and Ms. Al-Hajj for their briefings.
We welcome the sustained engagement of the Special Envoy and his mediation efforts with the parties and the regional actors. We commend also the efforts of Oman and Saudi Arabia in this regard. In our view, the parties should work towards a comprehensive nation-wide ceasefire and an inclusive and peaceful political solution under the UN auspices.
Resuming an inclusive Yemeni-owned political process remains a priority, and the support of the Security Council for the mediation efforts of the Special Envoy is crucial for the way forward. We commend the further steps undertaken by his office towards enhancing the confidence-building measures and reiterate our support for an all-for-all principle of release of the conflict-related detainees.
Madam President,
While we welcome all positive steps, the concerns about the volatile security situation in the country persist.
Insecurity and life risks are also affecting the lives of the humanitarian workers and of the staff of the UN agencies on the ground. Albania condemns the cruel murder of the World Food Program staff member in Taiz last month. Aid workers should never be a target. Those responsible must be held accountable.
We are concerned on the continuation of the restriction of movement for the humanitarian workers. Insecurity and movement constraints for all those working on the ground is impacting the aid delivery to those more vulnerable, women and children. We condemn all restrictions on female relief workers and on the freedom of movement in general.
We deplore the mistreatment of religious minorities in the country and call on the Houthis to immediately release the Bahai abductees. We further reiterate our call for the unconditional and immediate release of the Yemenis employed by the US and the UN in Sana. Also, we welcome the release of the UN staff and appreciate all the efforts of all of those involved to achieve this.
The statement of Ms. Al-Hajj is a clear testimony for full integration of accountability and transitional justice in the peace process in Yemen. It is also a vivid call for the meaningful participation of women in conflict resolution, peacemaking and decision making. We fully support the implementation of the Stockholm Agreement and call on the parties to fully implement the International Humanitarian Law for all the civilian detainees, abducted and forcibly disappeared and call for their release.
While the economic situation in Yemen continues to be a concern, the reports of Houthis blocking the flow of oil and essential goods from South to North, worsening the humanitarian crisis, are still going on. We call on them to end the economic war and focus on a peaceful future for Yemen.
In concluding Madame President, I would like to welcome the offloading of over one million barrels of crude oil from the FSO Safer and commend the excellent work of everyone involved.
I thank you!