Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Thank you Madam President.
New Zealand is pleased that this Council has now been able to agree a response to the conflict in Yemen. It’s been a challenging and difficult process to get us to this to this point, which you Madam President have led us with great patience, infinite patience I might say.
It’s important that the Council is seen to be united on this crisis; and equally important that we send a clear signal about the urgent need for an end to hostilities, and for a return to dialogue and to an inclusive political process as agreed previously by this Council.
This resolution, Madam President, imposes consequences for non-compliance, and we hope that this will create further incentives for the parties to return to the negotiating table, so we reiterate and support the resolution’s call for a resumption of the UN-led political dialogue.
That would be in the best interests of all parties, and of the long-suffering people of Yemen. This time, Madam President, the parties must listen.
We are also very deeply concerned at the humanitarian situation in Yemen and the impact of the conflict on civilians; and we re-echo the resolution’s call for all parties involved in military operations to comply with international humanitarian and human rights law. That’s not an option, Madam President, it’s an obligation.
Absent a political solution to this crisis, that humanitarian situation will only continue to deteriorate; so we reiterate the call for all parties to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and we support the request that the Secretary-General should intensify his efforts to facilitate a humanitarian pause.
New Zealand will be actively engaged in following up on progress towards those humanitarian outcomes which we should all be seeking.