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06.03.2025 Statement by Denmark at the UNSC briefing on Yemen

Who H.E. Christina Markus Lassen, Permanent Representative of Denmark to the UN
Who H.E. Christina Markus Lassen, Permanent Representative of Denmark to the UN
When 06.03.2025

Checked Against Delivery

Like others, I want to start by thanking Special Envoy Grundberg, and Under-Secretary-General Fletcher, for their briefings.

I wish to give a special thank you to our civil society briefer, Nesmah Mansoor Ali, for bringing new perspectives to the Council today on the need to address the often-overlooked effects of climate change in Yemen and its impact on insecurity and conflict.

And I also welcome the representative of Yemen to our meeting today.

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Colleagues, allow me to make three points.

First, as we have heard from Under-Secretary-General Fletcher this morning, the continuing deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Yemen is deeply concerning and having staggering consequenses for in particular women and girls. With an economy on the brink of collapse, persistent electricity cuts, severe food insecurity and acute water scarcity, for too many Yemenis, it is hard to maintain hope.

The staggering humanitarian needs are further compounded by the exacerbating impacts of climate change. As the third most vulnerable country to climate change in the world, Yemen is highly affected by climate-induced disasters, including droughts and floods.

The convergence of prolonged conflict, environmental degradation and climate change has created a perfect storm of crises with competition over scarce resources, threatening Yemen’s short- and long-term peace and stability.

As Council members, we must do more to make sure that climate considerations are integrated into peacebuilding strategies, local mediation efforts and a future peace settlement process. We urge the international community to support the Yemeni government in addressing those challenges. 

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Second, the Houthis continue to unlawfully detain UN staff and humanitarian personnel – many of whom have spent years delivering assistance to the people the Houthis claim to serve.

The tragic death of a WFP staff member held in Houthi detention last month underscores the urgency of ensuring the release of all those arbitrarily detained.

We call on the Houthis to do so immediately and without preconditions and we demand that their rights are respected in line with international law.

We appreciate the Council speaking in one voice in condemning this by adopting a press statement last month

As in all other conflicts on this Council’s agenda safe, rapid and unimpeded access for all humanitarian actors are non-negotiable requirements.

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Third and finally, the Houthis’ threats to further escalate attacks in the Red Sea will not make Yemenis lives easier or more secure. Rather – they risk drawing Yemen further into the regional turmoil and an endless spiral of retaliatory violence.

Attacks against international merchant vessels regardless of their origin or destination have no justification. Freedom of navigation must be respected in line with international law.

Denmark will continue to defend this as part of the EU Operation ASPIDES. We further underscore the need to reinforce the targeted arms embargo on the Houthis.

In closing, the Houthis must refocus their efforts on addressing the needs of the millions of Yemenis, who have suffered over a decade of war, by engaging in the UN-led political process towards a lasting solution to the conflict.

Denmark expresses full support for the efforts led by UN Special Envoy, Hans Grundberg. We encourage all stakeholders to engage actively with his office to pave the way for a resumption of the political process.

Thank you.