Statement by First Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Polyanskiy at UNSC briefing on the situation in Yemen
Mr.President,
We thank Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths for providing a review of the political and humanitarian situation in Yemen.
Unfortunately, we must say that the Republic of Yemen still experiences a profound military and political crisis that comes together with a widespread escalation of violence and intensification of hostilities on all fronts. Provinces Marib, Shabwa, Jawf, and Hodeidah remain at the center of armed clashes. We are concerned over attacks on civilian infrastructure both in Yemen and beyond its borders – in Saudi Arabia and UAE. We strongly call on all opposing sides to abide scrupulously by provisions of the international humanitarian law.
We are convinced that further confrontation may expand the conflict area far beyond the region. Stalemate of the political settlement brings the country closer to the point of no return, upon passing of which it would be impossible to recover Yemen’s unity. Besides, the confrontation makes it easier for terrorist groups to get foothold in the country.
In this context, we underscore that there is no alternative to peaceful settlement of the Yemeni conflict. Traditionally, the central role in this process should be played by the United Nations and Special Envoy of the Secretary-General H.Grundberg. This work must be guided by the principle of inclusiveness, and the final goal should be a comprehensive and lasting settlement of numerous problems that the people of Yemen are faced with and that also impact neighboring states.
Therefore we support the relevant efforts of SESG Grundberg and call him to galvanize mediator activity aimed at bringing parties to conflict back to the negotiations table. In this context, we note consultations with representatives of Yemen’s political forces that have started in Amman. SESG Grundberg, it was particularly important to hear today your assessments of the contacts with Yemeni sides.
We hope that this negotiations platform under the UN auspices will give a good opportunity to Yemenis to discuss ways of resolving the conflict by political means, and make it possible for the Special Envoy to elaborate a new comprehensive settlement plan that should be able to reconcile numerous contesting stakeholders of Yemen’s domestic political landscape.
On our part, we will keep working actively to encourage the authorities of Yemen and leaders of “Ansar Allah” movement to adopt a constructive approach. We are convinced that compromise can help solve the problem of SAFER tanker. In this respect, we welcome the agreements between “Ansar Allah” and UN services that should eliminate the threat coming from this floating oil reservoir.
Yemen’s dire humanitarian situation raises our particular concern. As we heard from USG Griffiths today, the situation daily gets closer to a full-fledged humanitarian disaster. So we pin our hopes on the International Humanitarian Response Conference for Yemen that will address ways to aid the people of the country. We remind however that humanitarian assistance must be unbiased.
In conclusion, we would like to highlight efforts of regional states who are ready to continue rendering mediator and humanitarian assistance in the Yemeni settlement. We remind of UNSC resolution 598 and other initiatives aimed at sub-regional stabilization, including Russia’s renewed collective security concept.
Thank you.
