Mr. President,

I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of 50 countries*.

In recent months, the international community has been witnessing with great concern a rapid intensification of hostilities and cross-border attacks in Yemen and the region. This upsurge in hostilities as well as reports of killings of civilians, of strikes impacting civilian infrastructure and of human rights violations and abuses are a cause of great concern to us all.

In this context, all parties are called upon to comply with their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law. In particular, we reiterate the vital importance of ensuring humanitarian access and the protection of civilians, including humanitarian and health workers and their facilities, as well as the importance of access for  human rights workers to conduct impartial documentation and investigations into alleged human rights abuses and violations.

We strongly support the efforts of the UN Special Envoy to bring an end to the conflict in Yemen. These are reinforced by the broad international consensus on the need to end the war in Yemen and work on lasting peace in the region. We urge all parties to the conflict to engage urgently and seriously in support of the Special Envoy’s efforts. Justice and accountability are key to an inclusive, durable peace in Yemen.

A collective effort is needed to respond to these challenges and to ensure a peaceful, prosperous and just future for Yemen. To this end, we should overcome our differences and collectively engage in favor of inclusive solutions. Central to these efforts, should be the protection of the rights of Yemeni people, including women, children and people in vulnerable situations.

We would like to encourage the international community to continue to explore options to prevent human rights violations, address impunity and work towards a just and inclusive peace for the people of Yemen.

Thank you.

*Cosponsored by:

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, San Marino, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States (50)