Statement by Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett at the Briefing on Maintenance of International Peace and Security

Thank you, Mr. President,

We thank the Presidency for convening this urgent meeting to receive an update from ASG Khiari on recent developments in Yemen.

We join other Council members in expressing concern about the impact of recent attacks, in the Red Sea and now in Yemen, on diplomatic efforts to achieve sustainable peace in Yemen and on efforts to contain the ongoing conflict in the region.

Last week, Council members gathered in this very chamber and agreed on the need to avoid any further escalation in tensions. We also acknowledged the need to avoid jeopardizing the prospects of reaching a comprehensive peace agreement in Yemen; one that would finally end a nine-year war that has killed hundreds of thousands of people and triggered one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.

We listened to you ASG Khiari caution about the risks of further compounding the already volatile situation in the region and expressed our support for the ongoing efforts of the Special Envoy.

One week later, we seem to be faced with an entirely new dispensation. One where the prospects for progress and sustainable peace in Yemen may be in jeopardy.

Today, an estimated 18.2 million people in Yemen are still in need of humanitarian assistance. At the same time, international funding for humanitarian operations is on the decline.

The Yemeni people can ill afford a re-escalation of hostilities. They deserve peace. The people of the Middle East deserve peace. Guyana calls for all sides to exercise restraint and to avoid taking any further actions that would derail ongoing efforts to find a sustainable, long-term solution to the crisis in Yemen.

We therefore reiterate our call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. For an end to the attacks on commercial and merchant vessels in the Red Sea and for the release of the Galaxy Leader vessel and crew.

Finally, this Council must continue to maintain support for the Special Envoy’s efforts to negotiate a sustainable peace in Yemen.

I Thank You!