Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent
Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on
Yemen.
"First, the UK remains committed to restoring freedom of
navigation and maritime security in the Red Sea.
We welcome recent efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region
and we hope these efforts can help provide the pathway to
sustainable peace in Yemen in line with the Special Envoy's
efforts.
As we have seen with continued threats against neighbouring
countries and worrying posturing on the frontlines in Yemen, the
risk of escalation remains.
Through a coordinated international approach, the UK will
continue to work towards effectively containing Houthi
capabilities.
Maritime security is essential in upholding stability in the
region.
The UK continues to support the Yemen Coast Guard in protecting
their maritime borders, and we look forward to launching the
Yemen Maritime Security Partnership alongside the Government of
Yemen and international partners in June.
Second, as highlighted by Ms El Mamoun, women face a
disproportionate impact from the conflict in Yemen.
In 2023, Yemen ranked second-to-last in the Georgetown
Institute's Women, Peace and Security Index, and we have not seen
progress since then.
According to the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, most of
the 4.8 million internally displaced people are women, and 6.2
million women and girls are at risk of gender-based violence.
Last year, UK funding supported nearly 1.5 million women and
children with essential lifesaving services and enabled 15,000 to
receive protection and gender-based violence response
services.
The UK continues to champion the important role that women can
play in both ending the conflict in Yemen and upholding
sustainable peace.
In November 2024, the UK hosted a group of Yemeni women leaders
and experts on the women, peace and security agenda to provide a
vital platform for these important voices.
The UK also remains committed to supporting the UN Special
Envoy's work to meaningfully engage women activists and women-led
organisations to deliver inclusive and sustainable peace in
Yemen.
Third, President, as USG Fletcher has said, the humanitarian
situation is severe.
The UK continues to condemn the ongoing detentions of aid workers
by the Houthis, and we reiterate our clear call for the immediate
and unconditional release of all those detained.
The Houthis' unjustified detention of aid workers continues to
shrink the humanitarian operating environment in a context where
nearly 20 million people are in dire need of humanitarian
assistance.
And finally, we are grateful for the efforts of Dr Ahmad bin
Mubarak, the former Prime Minister of Yemen, and we welcome the
new Prime Minister, Salem Bin Breik.
We look forward to working together with the new Prime Minister
and continuing our support to the Government of Yemen's ambitious
reform programme."
