JOINT STATEMENT OF THE A3 PLUS MEMBERS OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL (ALGERIA, GUYANA, MOZAMBIQUE AND SIERRA LEONE)
DELIVERED
Madam President,
- I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3+ members, namely Algeria, Guyana, Mozambique, and my own country, Sierra Leone.
- We express our gratitude to Mr. Hans Grundberg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, [we welcome] and thank Mr. Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator for their valuable briefings. We also thank Mr. Hisham Al-Omeisy, Senior Yemen Advisor, the European Institute of Peace, for your compelling and deeply sobering contribution.
- We welcome the participation of the Representative of Yemen in today’s meeting.
- Yemen is at the center of a multidimensional crisis, encompassing ongoing conflict, the devastating effects of climate change, economic collapse, and one of the worst humanitarian emergencies in modern history.
- The A3+ fully supports the efforts of the United Nations and regional actors, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman, to reach a political settlement of the Yemeni conflict, based on the agreed-upon frameworks. A Yemeni-owned and Yemeni-led political process remains the key to achieving a sustainable and just resolution.
- We believe that a balanced, inclusive process, one that ensures the participation of women and youth, can end the conflict, address the political stalemate, and lay the foundation for meeting the needs of the Yemeni people.
- We call for the continued preservation of the gains made in peace talks and stress the importance of ongoing mediation efforts under the auspices of the United Nations.
- With the above said, the A3+ is concerned that Yemen may lose international attention amidst the ongoing instability and heightened tensions across the Middle East.
- In light of the prevailing circumstances, the A3+ wishes to highlight the following key points: Firstly, we reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release of all United Nations and humanitarian personnel currently detained by the Houthis. The detention of such personnel, along with members of civil society and diplomatic staff, constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law. We urge the Houthis to cease the arbitrary detention of humanitarian workers, who often operate under challenging conditions to provide lifesaving services. In this regard, we also condemn the Houthi targeting of civilians and civilian objects, such as the recent drone attack on a market in Taiz province, which tragically killed six people and injured eight.
- Secondly, the A3+ is deeply concerned by the worsening levels of food insecurity in Yemen. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), 62% of households are unable to meet their minimum food needs, an alarming 30% increase compared to the previous year. The Global Humanitarian Overview for 2025, published by OCHA on 4 December, predicts that food insecurity and malnutrition will remain persistently high, with an estimated 17 million people, nearly half of the population, facing severe food insecurity, and 3.5 million experiencing acute malnutrition.
- To address this dire situation, we call on donor countries to significantly increase their contributions to the Humanitarian Response Plan for Yemen for 2025 and to mobilize the necessary resources.
- Thirdly, we express our serious concern over the continued attacks by the Houthis on commercial and maritime vessels, which pose significant risks to both the environment and marine ecosystems. We strongly urge the Houthis to cease these attacks immediately.
- Finally, the A3+ is alarmed by the escalating attacks on Yemeni territory by external actors, which threaten to further undermine the mediation efforts. Military intervention cannot resolve the Yemeni crisis. Only diplomatic efforts and genuine political dialogue can pave the way for lasting peace and national cohesion.
- The ongoing conflict in Gaza, along with the situation in Syria and airstrikes on Yemeni territory, has serious implications for the security of Yemen’s people and the prospects for a stable political process. The A3+ firmly believes that achieving an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza is essential for the region’s long-term peace. We call on all parties to the conflict, as well as external and regional actors, to halt military actions and choose the path of peace.
- In conclusion, the A3+ remains committed to supporting the Special Envoy’s diplomatic efforts to facilitate a Yemeni-led, Yemeni-owned political process under the auspices of the United Nations. We will continue to advocate for peace, justice, and prosperity for the people of Yemen.
I thank you.
