Thank you, Mr. President.
And I would like to thank Special Envoy Hans Grundberg, Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya, and Linda Al Obahi of the Peace Track Initiative for their insightful briefings.
"In the blink of an eye, the storm came and took everything.” The testimony of Ali, father of a family already displaced by the conflict in Yemen, illustrates the impact of the unprecedented severe weather that has hit the country in recent weeks. Thousands of people have been displaced. Much essential infrastructure has been destroyed. Such weather events, exacerbated by climate change, exacerbate the humanitarian situation. They also contribute to acute regional tensions that threaten the UN-supported political process. I would like to emphasize three essential points to protect the Yemeni people and enable them to face these challenges.
First, the parties must refrain from any action that could worsen the environmental situation. In the Red Sea, the repeated attacks on oil tankers must cease. The repeated attacks on the tanker Sounion in recent weeks are particularly shocking. Its wreck, carrying some 150,000 tons of oil, is reportedly still drifting in flames. We call on all parties to ensure its prompt and unconditional rescue and safe berthing in order to avert a major humanitarian and environmental disaster. This Council must remain seized of this issue, as it was unanimous in its support for the rescue of the Safer tanker. We therefore urge all parties to give priority to de-escalation and to choose the diplomatic route. In this regard, we call for the immediate release of the crew and the return of the Galaxy Leader, as demanded in Resolution 2722.
Second, the smooth running of humanitarian operations on the ground is crucial. It is imperative that the population have unconditional access to the humanitarian assistance they need throughout the country. Humanitarian aid must not be instrumentalized. Humanitarian personnel must be protected, as required by international humanitarian law and as stated in resolution 2730. In this respect, we reiterate the UN's call expressed once again today for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained UN and humanitarian personnel. The efforts of the UN and other humanitarian actors on behalf of the population and for the promotion of human rights must not be hindered but facilitated. We welcome the return of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to the UN. We hope that this is the first of other positive steps to come.
Finally, only a political solution to the conflict will make it possible to meet the needs of the Yemeni people. Switzerland calls for the gains made in the peace talks in Yemen to be preserved, and for peace talks to continue under the aegis of the United Nations. We reiterate our full support for Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and his team. We welcome their efforts to ensure full implementation of the agreement on banking measures and the transport sector.
Mr. President,
The storm facing the people of Yemen is multi-faceted and interrelated. The current situation should prompt us to redouble our efforts and remain seized of the situation. In this respect, the Yemeni people can count on Switzerland's full support.
Thank you.