Mr. President,
Let me begin by welcoming the unanimous adoption of Resolution 2680 and thanking the United States for facilitating the process that led to the renewal of the mandate of the expert group that supports the work of the 1718 Sanctions Committee. We are also grateful to all members of the Council for their commitment to consensus.
The expert group performs a particularly important task. Its reports are an invaluable source of information for the committee and UN member states regarding the implementation of sanctions. We thank it for its work and recommendations, particularly at this critical time when the Democratic People's Republic of Korea continues to accelerate its illicit nuclear weapons program significantly and pandemic-related restrictions continue to impede humanitarian access and assistance to the DPRK.
Today's mandate renewal enshrines the implementation of Resolution 2664. That reflects the Council's efforts to facilitate unimpeded humanitarian assistance.
Thank you.