14 May 2025
Thank you, Mr. President.
I thank Special Envoy Grundberg and USG Fletcher, as well as Director El Mamoun, for their informative briefings.
Mr. President,
Over the past month, the security landscape in the Middle East has seen an alarming deterioration. Yemen – unfortunately – has not been spared.
Denmark strongly condemns the Houthis’ attacks against vessels in the Red Sea and against Israel, including the attack near the Ben Gurion airport on May 4th.
We urge all parties to comply with international humanitarian law. Humanitarian personnel must also be protected.
The announced ceasefire deal between the United States and the Houthis gives hope for a path towards de-escalation and dialogue. We thank Oman for their efforts in mediating this deal and for their continuous support for efforts to achieve peace in Yemen.
Maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden must be fully restored.
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Mr. President, regarding the humanitarian situation, we remain gravely concerned about the conflict’s disproportionate impact on women and children, as also highlighted by USG Fletcher.
As we heard, a staggering 9.6 million women and girls in Yemen are in need of life-saving humanitarian aid. At the same time, 1.4 million pregnant and breastfeeding women are facing acute malnutrition.
Food insecurity has forced many parents to make the choice not to eat, to be able to feed their children. Despite this, nearly one in every two children under five is malnourished – a tragic record almost unparalleled globally.
This will not only affect the current generation. It will have health implications for generations to come.
In this dire situation, we reiterate that all parties must respect international humanitarian law and allow the rapid, safe and unimpeded provision of humanitarian assistance. This also means an immediate end to the arbitrary detention of UN staff, civil society representatives, and others.
Since the beginning of the conflict, Denmark has contributed with more than 200 million USD to humanitarian operations in Yemen. We call on the international community to recommit to assisting the people of Yemen – in particular the country’s women and children.
Mr President, at a time when the humanitarian situation has reached a new breaking point, the courage and resilience of Yemeni give hope for a better future.
Restrictions and targeting of women-led CSOs, in particular by the Houthis, have for too long made it difficult for Yemeni women to participate in Yemeni society.
Yet, as we have heard from Ms. El Mamoun, despite immense challenges compounded by years of conflict, Yemeni women are playing a constructive and important role in efforts for peace, development and provision of humanitarian assistance.
They are shaping their own futures by stepping into university classrooms in increasing numbers, claiming their right to education. By launching businesses, generating job opportunities and livelihoods. And they are founding grassroots organizations, promoting human rights and serving the most vulnerable communities at the frontline of the humanitarian response.
Their contributions and perspectives must be recognized, included and nurtured.
We call for a full and meaningful inclusion of women in all UN-led peace efforts, including intra-Yemeni talks, as well as other diplomatic efforts to settle the conflict. This in line with the minimum 30% quota established by the National Dialogue Conference.
Mr. President,
Growing security challenges and humanitarian suffering unfortunately have no quick fix. As Under-Secretary-General Fletcher stated, the people of Yemen need aid, but they also need peace. Ensuring women’s meaningful political participation is central to advancing a UN-led political process to find a lasting solution to the conflict in Yemen. And we offer our full support to Special Envoy Grundberg’s efforts in this regard.
I Thank you.