Vietnam urges relevant parties in Yemen to resume peace talks

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam urged related parties in Yemen to end hostilities and resume peace talks during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on September 15.

Martin Griffiths, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Yemen, and Mark Lowcock, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said the security, political and humanitarian situations in Yemen are getting worse.

Fighting is increasing in Ma’rib province, which has not only forced hundreds of thousands of people to leave their homes but also jeopardised peace negotiation efforts in Yemen. Apart from economic challenges and water shortages, about more than 9 million Yemeni people are facing starvation, food insecurity and lack of healthcare services, they noted.

The decline in international aid and fuel shortages have also added further complications to the problems, the officials said, adding that the UN has received only 30 percent of what is needed to sustain humanitarian efforts in Yemen this year.

The Houthis’ closure of Sana’a airport may interrupt the delivery of essential goods and medical supplies. Meanwhile, the UN technical mission has yet to gain access to the Safer oil tanker to perform its duties, they said.

At the meeting, UNSC members called on related parties to push ahead with implementing the Stockholm and Riyadh agreements while condemning violence against civilians, including children, especially the recruitment and use of children for violent acts.

They appealed for more aid for Yemen to maintain humanitarian programmes and continue combating COVID-19, voicing support for the UN’s intermediary and reconciliation efforts, including the proposal on a joint declaration on a nationwide ceasefire.

In his remarks, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of Vietnam’s permanent mission to the UN, expressed concern about the recent hostilities in Yemen as well as the recruitment and use of children for violent acts.

He urged the UN technical mission to the Safer oil tanker to be permitted early and relevant sides to seriously carry out the Stockholm and Riyadh agreements.

The diplomat also showed support for efforts by the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Yemen and UN agencies in promoting a comprehensive political solution in this country./.