13.02.2025 Statement by Denmark at the UNSC briefing on Yemen

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Thank you, Mr. President,

I would like to thank Special Envoy Grundberg and Under

Secretary-General Fletcher for their briefings. I also welcome the representative of Yemen to our meeting today.

Colleagues,

Recent developments across the Middle East have given cause for cautious optimism. Across the region, a reduction in violence has led to real dividends of peace for millions of people.

It is therefore deeply distressing that, despite these trends, the situation in Yemen continues to grow more dire. This year alone, a staggering 19.5 million people will need humanitarian assistance and protection services.

Food insecurity is soaring. Half of all children under five are acutely malnourished. As always, the most vulnerable are the most affected.

Around this table, and across the international community, we have a responsibility to act. We must find ways to meet the needs of the population in line with humanitarian principles.

Denmark is stepping up.

We recently provided a new contribution of 13.5 million USD to the humanitarian response in Yemen, contributing to the lifesaving efforts of the ICRC, the World Food Programme and the Yemen Humanitarian Fund. 

We urge others to join us.

Mr. President,

As we speak, personnel from the UN, NGOs, civil society and diplomatic missions are being held in captivity by the Houthis, deprived of their freedom. Arbitrarily detained, many of them working to provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance to civilian Yemenis in need.

These arbitrary detentions by Houthis have forced UN to pause all humanitarian operations in the governorate of Sa’ada. We continue to call for unhindered and sustained access for humanitarian operations across Yemen, of which the safety and security of humanitarian personnel is a prerequisite

Earlier this week we received the tragic news that an aid worker from the World Food Programme died while being held captive by the Houthis. We are deeply concerned by this and extend our condolences to his family and the UN community.

Let there be no doubt. The safety and security of the UN and other humanitarian personnel must always be guaranteed.

Humanitarian aid, and the personnel providing it, must not be held hostage in political power games. Disinformation about and against them must stop.

We demand their immediate and unconditional release.

In addition, it is important that all restrictive measures - both UN sanctions and sanctions outside the scope of the UN - against the Houthis do not lead to unintended humanitarian consequences for the civilian population.

Such consequences could present challenges to the humanitarian and the commercial sector in Yemen. With Yemen importing nearly 80 per cent of all food, fuel, textiles and medicines, we must do all we can to mitigate such effects.

Mr. President,

Denmark has positively noted the Houthis’ announcement to halt their attacks on commercial shipping in light of the ceasefire in Gaza, but underlines that this must also be the case for Israeli flagged and operated vessels. The attacks on civilian commercial vessels must be halted entirely.

We welcome the Houthis’ release of 153 conflict related detainees. This represents a confidence building measure – and hopefully a first step in a series of many.

Such actions should provide new momentum towards a resumption of the peace process led by Special Envoy Grundberg, and towards the implementation of the UN roadmap for peace. These important processes deserve our full support.

In this regard, we underline that in order for peace to be sustainable, it must be inclusive.

That means ensuring the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of a diverse group of women in the political process.

It means supporting the participation of young people and civil society of all political backgrounds from all regions of Yemen.

Only a political solution to the conflict can bring peace to Yemen. We urge all stakeholders to exercise restraint and refrain from escalatory rhetoric that could derail these efforts.

Mr. President, in conclusion,

We call on all parties to demonstrate their genuine interest in peace.

To recommit to the UN led process. Put simply, to prioritise the needs of the Yemeni people.

Thank you.

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