Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 43
43
Accepted
Continue to advocate for Yemen's long-term peace, upholding maritime security and civilian protection.
Recommendation
We encourage the Government, through the UK Mission to the United Nations in New York, to continue to push for long-term peace and security in Yemen, with particular reference to upholding maritime security, the 53 protection of civilians in armed conflict and the safety of women and girls. It must continue to work closely with the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen and Yemeni stakeholders to secure a sustainable peace in Yemen. (Recommendation, Paragraph 142) 54
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and confirms its leading role as UN Security Council penholder and largest donor, committing to continue pushing for long-term peace and security in Yemen. It will use monthly UNSC meetings to highlight human costs, advocate for women and girls' safety, protect civilians, and work closely with the UN Special Envoy and Yemeni stakeholders for a sustainable political settlement and maritime security.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Agree. 60. HMG plays a leading role on Yemen as UN Security Council penholder and is currently the largest donor to the Yemen Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for this financial year. Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea, starting in October 2023, have stalled progress on the path towards a negotiated political settlement and a stable and secure Yemen. The current ceasefire in Gaza offers a small but important opportunity to relaunch these efforts in partnership with the UN and the region. 61. HMG will continue to use our interventions at monthly UN Security Council meetings on Yemen to highlight the human cost of this conflict as the Committee has recommended, including pushing for the safety of women and girls, the protection of civilians and reiterating our condemnation of the Houthis’ arbitrary detention of staff from the UN, NGOs, INGOs, civil society organisations and diplomatic missions. We are actively exploring options to further raise awareness of the significant deterioration of food security levels in Yemen. 62. HMG will also continue to work closely with the UN Special Envoy to push for a sustainable, inclusive political settlement in Yemen, including through galvanizing UN Security Council support for a UN-led political process, improving humanitarian conditions and restoring maritime security in the Red Sea. The UK strongly supports the participation of Yemeni stakeholders in any dialogue regarding the country’s future.