Mr President,
Like my colleagues, I would like to begin by thanking Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths for their intervention and above all for their commitment to the civilian population in Yemen.
Indeed, as was already mentioned, this is a context in which – until very recently – we still had high hopes.
Let me therefore begin with these words from Sawsan Alshamiri, a 10-year-old who lent his pen to a UNICEF campaign in Yemen: “I call on all to bring our childhood laughter back and to let my dreams for peace become real”. I believe that this appeal is clearly addressed to us. We must collectively respond to this appeal and support this generation of tomorrow's decision-makers and peacemakers.
In this context, Switzerland would like to highlight the following points:
At the political level, it has to be said that the situation in the Near East and the regional repercussions that we have observed in the Middle East, including the escalation in the Red Sea, have slowed down the momentum of the talks to which the Special Envoy was so committed in order to reach an agreement. However, it is vital to preserve these gains. The current discussions on a roadmap are an opportunity to make a nationwide ceasefire operational while promoting an inclusive political process under the auspices of the United Nations. The Eid al Adha celebrations next month would be an opportunity for the parties to make gestures, such as prisoner exchanges or the opening of roads. As we all know here, such measures could improve the daily lives of many families.
Second, the humanitarian level, the situation in Yemen is alarming. More than 17 million people are suffering from serious food insecurity and need access to water and basic sanitation. As we know, children are among the most vulnerable people in any conflict. In Yemen, around 1.7 million are exposed to a high risk of infectious diseases due to the lack of access to drinking water and hygiene, which will have an impact on their health in the short and medium term. Their fate reminds us that the price of inaction will only be higher, as OCHA also puts it. In this context, we salute the commitment of humanitarian and UN personnel, including national and local staff, and recall that they are protected by international law.
And finally, on the economic front, the various measures that the parties to the conflict are continuing to take are stifling the private economy in Yemen, which has already been affected by 13 years of conflict – we have also heard this before. This further destabilisation is being borne entirely by the civilian population and is heightening tensions between the parties to the conflict.
We thus need to reverse this trend.
Mr President,
There is an alternative to conflict. This Council must remain fully mobilised and support the Special Envoy in his efforts to obtain an agreement between the parties to the conflict. Switzerland is always ready to host discussions that will enable the legitimate aspirations of the Yemeni people to be met.
Thank you.