YouSaid · the spoken record

Griffiths

lines on the record: 722
first: 2018-04-17
most recent: 2023-10-18
sittings or episodes: 57
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“I am grateful to Abdulmalik al-Houthi for his commitment and to Ansar Allah for following through on those promises. It shows their seriousness and commitment to implement what was agreed in Stockholm. I commend them for being the first to redeploy their forces, as originally agreed. This is most welcome. I should also add, and I am sure that we will hear later, that the Government of Yemen has been consistent in affirming its commitment to redeploying, as negotiated and agreed in the first phase of redeployment. This is also most welcome. I had an opportunity to meet the Permanent Representative yesterday. We discussed that very commitment, which is clear and unequivocal. I am very grateful to President Hadi Mansour for his continued leadership.”
2019-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8525 (2019) · source
“In addition, starting this Saturday, UNDP will be supporting 4,000 people in Al-Hudaydah, who will be employed on public works schemes. So, there are signs of a new beginning in Al-Hudaydah. I would like to suggest that change in Al-Hudaydah is now a reality. As I have said to the Council many times since December, when that agreement was made in Sweden, we never expected the implementation ofthis agreement to be easy, and it has not been. But with the continuous commitment of the parties and the coalition, the swift and decisive support of the Council and the stewardship ofLieutenant General Lollesgaard's Mission, UNMHA, we have finally seen that first concrete step towards the implementation of the agreement reached in Sweden in December.”
2019-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8525 (2019) · source
“I would like to congratulate the Lieutenant General and his team for that achievement and express my gratitude to them for remaining steadfast in support of the Al-Hudaydah agreement, reached in Sweden on 13 December. This progress will allow the United Nations to play "the leading role" in supporting the Yemen Red Sea Ports Corporation in management and inspections at the ports, including enhanced monitoring by the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism, with inspectors ready to be deployed. The United Nations is also ready to help improve the productivity and efficiency of Al-Hudaydah port. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is sending in teams to the port to install lights to help ships berth safely, repair facilities, upgrade the berths and help demine the outer perimeter of the port facility.”
2019-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8525 (2019) · source
“Mr. Griffiths: I wish to thank you, Mr. President, for giving me this opportunity to brief the Security Council. Today I am very pleased to report to the Council on progress in the implementation of the Al-Hudaydah agreement. Between 11 and 14 May, Ansar Allah undertook an initial redeployment of forces from the ports of Al-Hudaydah, Saleef and Ras Isa under United Nations monitoring. My colleague Lieutenant General Michael Lollesgaard and his team from the United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) were there at each of the three ports to monitor and verify these redeployments. His Mission confirmed that Ansar Allah was fully compliant throughout the withdrawal and that they were very cooperative. The military forces of Ansar Allah have now left those three ports.”
2019-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8525 (2019) · source
“Lowcock will do so in a much more sufficient way - that Yemen bleeds. Its people go hungry. Many of its children have not seen the inside of a classroom. In many ways, it is one of the world's most tragic places. That is the spur that encourages us to imagine, beyond Al-Hudaydah, that we could see progress towards that solution, which alone can bring back the hopes of Yemeni families and the control of Yemen under its political class.”
2019-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8512 (2019) · source
“I am sure she will urge us to do better in our efforts to include women, both in the formal delegations that come to rounds of formal consultations and in the much more extensive consultations that will, between sessions, help us to refine the issues we put before the parties. My primary responsibility in the next few months will be to winnow down the differences between the parties so that when they meet they can be asked to answer precise questions about the nature of the arrangements to end the war, in an equitable fashion and in accordance with the resolutions of the Council. I seek the support of the Council for this approach. Let us together require those who can help us towards peace be encouraged and the sceptics set aside while we work to make our case. I cannot conclude without reminding everyone - and I am sure that Mr.”
2019-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8512 (2019) · source
“I will have further discussions with our own technical advisory group of women in Edinburgh next week. Track-II organizations, where I have my own background - including the Berghof Foundation, IDEA, VMI and others - building on their own extensive experience in Yemen over the years, are active and valued partners in this endeavour and have been centrally involved in the thinking and planning that we go through in my Office when we begin to hope that we may be able to engaged in the political process. I am also grateful for the support and advice we receive from the Peace Track Initiative and the Women's Solidarity Network, which represents a large number of Yemeni women and women-led organizations. The Council will hear shortly from Ms. Muna Luqman, one of Yemen's leading peace activists.”
2019-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8512 (2019) · source
“Doing this will, of course, ensure that we benefit from their experience. But it is more than that. These are the people who will eventually return to their rightful positions in running the politics and Government of Yemen once the parties have agreed to resolve the conflict. If that is to happen, those politicians and political class will need to work together instead of competing with each other. The engagement process that I have just been describing builds on the rich past experience of negotiations, particularly the 100 days in Kuwait three years ago, concerning which I doffmy hat to Ambassador Mansour. It is a process that, while led by the Office I am privileged to be a part of, is not done only by my Office. I have already mentioned the contribution of UN-Women.”
2019-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8512 (2019) · source
“I was particularly lucky in that regard to be invited to attend a recent meeting here in Amman with more than 100 Yemeni women, organized by UN- Women. Many had travelled, courageously and with great difficulty, to get here and make their contributions to resolving the conflict. My pledge to them at that meeting was that we would make sure in the months to come that we would consult them and their networks on all the different issues that will be debated between the parties. As I will say before concluding these remarks, there is no doubt that we can all do a lot better when it comes to the inclusion of women and other sectors of civil society in the political process. I will also continue to meet with as many representatives of the varied Yemeni political parties as possible who can contribute their thinking.”
2019-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8512 (2019) · source
“We all know the rough outlines of an agreement to end the war, precisely in line with the three references and the resolutions of the Council. None of us is freelancing. We need to work with the parties on the outlines of an eventual settlement in a way that fleshes out the framework that I have discussed with members of the Council before and that was on the table in those days in Sweden in December last year. We need, in a purposeful way, to seek their views on both the concepts and the details. We need to do that now, in advance of any formal return to process or political consultation. That would prepare the ground for an eventual serious consultation between the parties. In preparing for that political road to peace, I make it my job to meet with as wide a section of society as possible.”
2019-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8512 (2019) · source
“But I would be derelict in my duty if we were not also preparing the ground for political consultations, not least because the war in Yemen, again as Mr. Lowcock will tell us, shows no signs of abating. The tragedies of war particularly pain us all when children are the victims, as they have been, dramatically, of late. It should be so that this is a pain we all feel, but it is also true that the larger battlefields should not be forgotten. In Hajour, there have been some devastating battles with all the human misery and civilian displacement naturally attendant upon events of that kind. That means that we must keep our focus, as the Council has urged me to do before, on reaching a political solution, and to do as fast as we can.”
2019-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8512 (2019) · source
“Lowcock's territory, but I mention this because these are measures that cross the line between the parties. Further action must be taken to reduce prices and ensure the availability ofbasic commodities, including fuel. I am grateful to be under the leadership of Mark Lowcock and Lise Grande in these matters. Ineed to say very clearly thatI accept that we all need to see tangible progress in Al-Hudaydah before moving to focus on the political solution. I have actually said that to the Council before. More importantly, perhaps, than my saying it, the leadership of both parties have said as much to me, including within the past 10 days. Yes, we must see progress in Al-Hudaydah. Perhaps today will be the first in that direction. We must see progress in Al-Hudaydah - full stop.”
2019-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8512 (2019) · source
“Much needs to be done to tighten and sustain the ceasefire, but the positive developments that we have seen and I hope will continue to see in Al-Hudaydah have already shown what can be achieved through dialogue and compromise. I hope that the parties recognize this and, with the Council's support, build on it. Meanwhile, as I am again sure will be described by Mr. Lowcock, the economic situation in Yemen remains extremely fragile. Commercial ships face difficulties accessing Al-Hudaydah and fuel prices are on the rise. There have been some positive developments, such as the Government of Yemen's welcome decision to start paying public sector salaries in Al-Hudaydah and pensions throughout the country. I do not want to trespass on Mr.”
2019-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8512 (2019) · source
“Making that happen is not an easy decision for the parties to take and of course it is taking longer than we had hoped, but the fact that it should happen at all is extremely welcome. Al-Hudaydah is a test of many things, the principal among which is leadership. I like to hope that in the coming days we shall see the people's trust in that leadership vindicated in this test. We should also not forget - and I am sure that Mr. Lowcock will remind us - that since the ceasefire came into force in the very early hours of 18 December 2018, levels of violence in Al-Hudaydah governorate, while not adequately or sufficiently reduced, have nonetheless fallen significantly. Civilian casualties are down and there are reports that, as our colleague in Sana'a Lise Grande often reminds us, those displaced by the war have begun to return to their homes.”
2019-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8512 (2019) · source
“I was in Sana'a a week ago exactly, where Lieutenant General Michael Lollesgaard and I met with Abdulmalik Al-Houthi, the leader of Ansar Allah. We were able to hear again his reconfirmation in clear terms - in detail as well as in general terms - of his support for the implementation of the Al-Hudaydah agreement. Of course, that was important in the lead- up to the announcement that we have just heard today. I was glad to hear it confirmed so directly and I am grateful to him for the position he has taken on this and other issues. Let us be clear that when these redeployments happen - and I hope it is "when", not "if" 4 they will be the first voluntary withdrawals of forces in this long conflict.”
2019-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8512 (2019) · source
“I am grateful, as I am sure we all are, to both parties and to Lieutenant General Lollesgaard for the constructive engagement that has allowed us finally to reach this point. We will now move with all speed towards resolving the final outstanding issues related to the operational plans for phase 2, redeployments and the status of local security forces, which is to be introduced in the coming days. President Hadi Mansour has consistently approached this, as I have said to the Council recently, with the practicality of a former military man. As he has also told me on more than one occasion, he wants to see those redeployments happen and the city and ports of Al-Hudaydah, Ras Isa and Saleef returned to some kind of peace for its inhabitants. I am grateful to President Hadi for his patience and commitment.”
2019-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8512 (2019) · source
“That, I hope, explains my persistence in planning, hoping and pushing for a start of consultations leading to that political solution. First, I will address the situation in Al-Hudaydah. Lieutenant General Michael Lollesgaard has been working without stop to secure agreement between the parties on the operational plans for redeployments in Al-Hudaydah, in line with what was agreed in December in Sweden. I hope we will hear more of that in a while. It has been, as we all know, a long and difficult process. I am happy to announce to you, Mr. President, that both parties have now accepted the detailed redeployment plan prepared by Lieutenant General Lollesgaard for phase 1 of the redeployments in Al-Hudaydah.”
2019-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8512 (2019) · source
“Mr. Griffiths: I thank you, Mr. President, for this opportunity to brief the Security Council. It has been almost exactly a year since I first had such a chance (see S/PV.8235). I said then, back in April oflast year, that a political solution was available to resolve the conflict in Yemen, but I added that at any time war could take the chance of peace off the table. Both those propositions hold as true today as they did a year ago. In addition, as I am sure Mark Lowcock will describe, the plight of the people of Yemen has, if anything, worsened during this period. The pursuit of peace, which is the task to which I contribute, is measured as much against the lives and livelihoods daily lost across the various governorates of Yemen.”
2019-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8512 (2019) · source
“That reminder in Geneva reminds us here, I would like to suggest, that the cost of the war, if our collective efforts fail, will continue to rise steeply, at the tragic expense of the people in Yemen.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8464 (2019) · source
“I note in particular the growing support of southern groups to our efforts and their clear desire for a peaceful settlement to the conflict and their broader concerns regarding the future of the country. We therefore have an overriding responsibility to build on the momentum created in Stockholm towards resolving the conflict. I say that without, I hope, being naive about the difficulties that we will face, and continue to face, in implementing promises and agreements. There will be setbacks, but we need to look beyond those to the horizon that is before us. Next week - as I am sure Mark Lowcock will tell us - we will be reminded in Geneva of the financial needs of the humanitarian programmes in Yemen and their extraordinary dimensions, as well as the courage of those colleagues who fulfil their responsibilities and obligations daily.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8464 (2019) · source
“The beginning of a discussion on political and security arrangements would constitute, in our view, a major step forward and an important statement of intent from the parties that they are determined, together with us and the support of the Council, to bring the conflict to an end. The members of the Council will recall that the Stockholm Agreement was only ever intended to be a preliminary step - a humanitarian step - of great moment, but not the end of the story. Indeed, the parties, civil society, women's representatives and the international community have repeatedly reminded me, as the Council did when we last met on this subject, that a comprehensive solution is the only way to put an end to the conflict.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8464 (2019) · source
“In truth, our primary interest - and in that sense, the real centre of gravity of this conflict for us - has to be moving towards a political solution. The agreement concerning phase 1 of redeployment in Al-Hudaydah, as confirmed today, gives us permission, I like to think, to look ahead beyond the agreements made in Stockholm. While we need tangible progress very clearly before we may move forward, we can now imagine how we would begin to address those serious substantive difficulties. I believe that we have an obligation to focus our minds on finding that political solution. We need to start talking about the future.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8464 (2019) · source
“Members will recall that I mentioned in my previous meeting how significant, and almost iconic, Taiz is in this conflict, and how essential it is that we improve freedom of access and movement of peoples in that area. I will focus all our efforts on meaningful steps to make a difference there, as well. We need to agree on small steps now, not big things later. No one is suggesting that the process will be straightforward. Taiz is a place that has witnessed some of the worst parts of the conflict, but we like to think that we have a good chance of seeing some tangible progress in the coming weeks. I have said to the Council - on more than one occasion, I am afraid - that Al-Hudaydah is the centre of gravity of the war, and perhaps it is.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8464 (2019) · source
“I hope beyond hope that the parties can push those particular efforts forward to reunite thousands of families and relieve the humanitarian burden on those who have been detained in the conflict. I should like to express my gratitude to Peter Maurer, my good friend and President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, who took time out from his extraordinarily busy schedule to open the most recent of those two meetings in Amman. The involvement of his organization, as you read out earlier in your statement, Mr. President, guarantees the probity and professionalism of the process. Both parties have once again reaffirmed to me their commitment to the statement of understanding on Taiz, agreed in Stockholm.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8464 (2019) · source
“But I should stress here that, as was always the intention of that prisoner exchange agreement, to which I referred, the parties and their leaders - as they have expressed directly to me on more than one occasion - seek the release of all prisoners on both sides of this conflict. As many of them remind us, "All for all" is the watchword for this process. That remains our commitment and responsibility as it is theirs. I would like to think that we are not far off from agreeing and realizing the release of a first batch, and I am very grateful to both parties for their prompt support for that move. We still have some work to do before it can be finalized, not least to ensure that it is clearly part of a larger process to provide for the release of those who remain in prison.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8464 (2019) · source
“We have also been very busy these past weeks in seeking agreement for the release and exchange of prisoners. The Council will recall that a mechanism concerning the matter was in fact the first agreement between the parties, and was made before we went to Sweden in November 2018. We have held two substantial and substantive meetings between the parties here in Amman in recent weeks. I am very grateful to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and personally to the Foreign Minister, for allowing those meetings to take place. With the International Committee of the Red Cross-theco-Chairofthesupervisorycommittee-we were able in those bilateral meetings and discussions with the parties to make progress towards what we hope will be the release of the first batch of prisoners.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8464 (2019) · source
“In recent weeks, in order to make progress on agreements made in Sweden, I have made many visits to Sana'a and Al-Hudaydah, meeting each time with Abdulmalik Al-Houthi and his colleagues in the Ansar Allah movement. I am glad to report to the Council that he has always engaged positively with me on all discussions that we had on Al-Hudaydah, the vital logistical issues necessary for the introduction of a United Nations mission in Al-Hudaydah, the release of specific individuals and the general release of prisoners. I am grateful for his commitment to support all our efforts. I was back from Sana'a just yesterday, and it is clear to me that the commitment found there with regard to the implementation of the Al-Hudaydah agreement is genuine and, therefore, most welcome.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8464 (2019) · source
“It reinforces trust, which is an essential commodity, between the parties. Finally, most important, it shows political will. With the beginning - possibly today or tomorrow - of the implementation of that part of the Al-Hudaydah agreement, we now have the opportunity to move from the promise made in Sweden to hope for Yemen. As I am sure Mark Lowcock will describe shortly, an agreement on redeployments is also important for the broader humanitarian effort in the country. In the past few days, both Mark and I have already underlined the parties' responsibility to give the World Food Programme access to the Red Sea Mills, grain tonnage which represents enough food to feed 3.7 million people for a month.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8464 (2019) · source
“The Stockholm Agreement, reached by the parties in December 2018, was described - reasonably, I believe - as a breakthrough. It was a major shift and showed to the people of Yemen that something was indeed happening. As I have reported before, there have been signs of increased civilian activity in Al-Hudaydah, and the people of the city are already, at this very early stage, seeing some tangible benefits from the significant and consistent decrease in hostilities in that area as a result of the Stockholm Agreement. The Agreement reached on phase 1 is a sign that the parties are committed keeping up the momentum of which I speak. It demonstrates, to me at least, that the parties are able to deliver on their commitments to turn words into tangible progress on the ground.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8464 (2019) · source
“Since I last briefed the Security Council I have had the privilege of meeting three times with His Excellency President Hadi on a wide variety of issues of concern to him and, of course, to us. I am grateful for the flexibility that he has shown and, perhaps more important, the guidance that he provided me and my colleagues with regard to negotiations on Al-Hudaydah. The progress that we announced today benefitted from those exchanges. I rely on him to continue to give me the benefit of his advice going forward. I should also add that the numerous, almost daily, meetings that we have held with the coalition continue to be invaluable to illuminate issues on the table and allow us to achieve progress towards their resolution. There is momentum on Yemen.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8464 (2019) · source
“This agreement would not have been possible without the strong leadership of Lieutenant General Lollesgaard. He has led those negotiations with patience and persistence. I personally am very grateful to him for those qualities. It would not have been possible either without the strong commitments demonstrated by the parties. Despite deadlines being missed, the parties have constantly shown their commitment to implement the agreement and have consistently assured me of that commitment. I am under no illusion about the challenges that we face. But perhaps, for one day at least, we can be heartened rather than dismayed by challenges. I am heartened by both parties' current reminders to me and my colleagues that this is a unique opportunity.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8464 (2019) · source
“Under the leadership of Lieutenant General Lollesgaard, the parties agreed to redeploy from the ports of Saleef and Ras Isa in a first step, followed by a redeployment from Al-Hudaydah port itself and critical parts of Al-Hudaydah city associated with humanitarian facilities in the second step. That will facilitate humanitarian access to the Red Sea Mills, where, as we know, significant tonnage of grain has been waiting to be distributed to the people of Yemen. I am grateful to both parties, who have made concessions to allow that to happen. Of course, I call upon them to immediately start the implementation of the agreement and agree on the details of the second phase of redeployments in Al-Hudaydah, which we hope will lead to the demilitarization of that city.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8464 (2019) · source
“Mr. Griffiths: I thank you, Mr. President, for this opportunity to brief the Security Council. Since I last talked to the Council a few weeks ago (see S/PV.844l), we have made some significant progress in the implementation of the agreements reached in Stockholm towards the latter part of last year. The parties have now confirmed to Lieutenant General Michael Lollesgaard and to me their agreement to the first phase of the Al-Hudaydah redeployment plan. Naturally, I welcome the agreement they have reached - and I hope the Council does - and the commitment it shows by the parties to implement the Stockholm Agreement and the promises made in that meeting in early December.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8464 (2019) · source
“It is not a matter of conditioning that decision. It is a matter of making progress so that in the next round we will not be dealing with the issues that were experienced in the first. I am therefore still hopeful that we can proceed to a next round of consultations in the near future. I am working with both parties to make sure that it will happen at the earliest possible date, and that in those consultations we will begin both to monitor the progress made out of Sweden and discuss the fundamental issues that need to be addressed to resolve the conflict.”
2019-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8441 (2019) · source
“In conclusion, the message that I have been receiving, particularly from the parties but also from key Member States and those with an interest in peace in Yemen, has been consistent in these past days. It is that we must implement what was agreed to in Sweden and show substantial progress in those commitments if we are to build the confidence that we have hoped to create from them. There is a sense of tangible hope. There is a sense ofoptimism, as well as concern. It is my View, and it is shared by the leadership of both parties but also others, that substantial progress, particularly on Al-Hudaydah, is something that we would like to see before we reconvene the next consultations. Members of the Council will remember that in the Stockholm Agreement there was an agreement to open those consultations without conditions.”
2019-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8441 (2019) · source
“Of course, as we discussed in the Security Council meeting in December (see S/PV.8424), we are continuing to work on finding solutions before the resumption of the next round of consultations. I should mention that, as ever, the demands of southern groups are also a key part of the solution to the Yemeni equation. I am grateful for the effort exerted by key Yemeni stakeholders and the international community to improve stability in the southern governorates in recent months, which has been a remarkable achievement. As I have always said, I am committed to ensuring the participation of southern groups in the peace process. I am continuing to work with that goal in mind with a range of those groups. Their contribution will be of vital importance in fulfilling the hope of peace.”
2019-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8441 (2019) · source
“The war continues in other parts of the country, which is why we need to make progress quickly. I call on the parties to recognize that these first steps need to be protected so that we can reach those other parts of the country in due course. The conflict continues to have a terrible impact on the economy and the overall humanitarian situation, as I know Mr. Lowcock will describe in a minute. It was unfortunate that we were unable to reach consensus on our way forward on the Central Bank of Yemen while we were together in Sweden, and on the opening of Sana'a airport during those consultations in December. Both ofthose issues, ifresolved, would make a significant contribution to relieving humanitarian suffering.”
2019-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8441 (2019) · source
“I am grateful for the commitment and patience that both parties have shown since Stockholm. Progress on some of the issues has been gradual and, indeed, somewhat tentative, but there is a tangible contribution to peace. There are no doubt many hurdles to be overcome in the days, weeks and months ahead, but I would say here that the parties must not be diverted from their commitments through issues of delays or difficulties, which are unexpected. I ask for the support of the Council in encouraging the parties to stay the course and overcome together any challenges that may be encountered along the way, and reminding them that we are here to help them. I am under no illusion that these are very sensitive and challenging days for both parties and Yemen as a whole.”
2019-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8441 (2019) · source
“I am hopeful that what we might plan to see in Taiz is something that we might also see achieved in Al-Hudaydah, which should not be the only beneficiary of the agreements that we made in Sweden. On the agreement for the exchange of prisoners, we are working with both parties to finalize the lists of prisoners submitted by each in Stockholm. Iparticularly want to record our appreciation for the invaluable support provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross in that regard. As agreed to in Stockholm, we plan to hold a meeting of the supervisory committee, which includes both parties. I am hopeful that it will take place in Amman, from where I will be speaking on Monday. That will be a step towards the day that we hope to see of an airlift of many thousands of prisoners exchanged and released to return to their families.”
2019-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8441 (2019) · source
“Those are the issues that we believe that the joint committee, which I will refer to, is there to resolve. Since Stockholm, I have talked with the parties and many prominent people from Taiz - my office also met the Governor yesterday - and they all want the city to return to calm and for the people to have hope that the city will flourish once again. I am glad that Stockholm provides a potential platform for that. With the agreement of the parties, we therefore plan to hold the first meeting of that committee as soon as possible, ideally this month. We are also working on a civil society mechanism, including the significant participation of women, to support thatjoint committee in its endeavours.”
2019-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8441 (2019) · source
“Regarding Taiz, as Council members will recall, the parties agreed in Stockholm to the creation of mechanisms to reach consensus on how to address the situation in that city and governorate. Taiz is of enormous historic significance for Yemen as a whole, and the city and its people have been a driving force in Yemen's economic and cultural life for many years. To give it a sense of proportion, the governorate of Taiz has a population of 2.5million people, and the city of Taiz has been divided, by virtue of the conflict, for some considerable time. The civilians in Taiz have suffered far too much for far too long, and the destruction in the city has been dreadful. The flow of humanitarian aid, of course, needs to increase and cross the line between the parties, and the people need the chance to rebuild.”
2019-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8441 (2019) · source
“He is working with the parties on the details of the redeployments of forces, again as foreseen in Sweden, the provision of security in the city and the opening of humanitarian access routes, as agreed to in Stockholm. The activation of the Redeployment Coordination Committee, which has happened since the arrival of General Cammaert in late December, is very welcome. I urge both parties to continue to engage regularly and in good faith with General Cammaert and his team so that the security arrangements - and, crucially, the improvements in humanitarian access - can be implemented swiftly, in line with what was agreed to in Stockholm. That will build the confidence of the parties, the Yemeni people and the international community that what was talked about in Stockholm can be a reality.”
2019-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8441 (2019) · source
“In this context, I should say that I think it is a remarkable achievement that retired Major General Cammaert tore himself away from other commitments and launched himself with his team into the region at very short notice to establish the Redeployment Coordination Committee, the committee that will monitor the agreements in Al-Hudaydah. We are very grateful to General Cammaert. That rapid deployment has given a clear signal to the parties and the Yemeni people of the international community's desire to turn the Agreement into facts on the ground. General Cammaert has chaired several meetings of the Redeployment Coordination Committee, with the participation of representatives from both parties, to oversee the implementation of the redeployments and the ceasefire, as agreed to in Sweden on Al-Hudaydah.”
2019-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8441 (2019) · source
“However, this is remarkably limited compared to what we saw in the weeks before the Stockholm consultations, and this relative calm, I believe, indicates the tangible benefit of the Stockholm Agreement for the people of Yemen, and it also illustrates the commitment of both parties to making their agreements work. Thanks to the swift authorization provided by the Council through resolution 2451 (2018), the United Nations has deployed an advance monitoring team to Al-Hudaydah, under the leadership of my esteemed colleague Major General Patrick Cammaert of the Netherlands, who arrived in Yemen on 22 December.”
2019-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8441 (2019) · source
“This enthusiasm for actually making Stockholm work and provide tangible differences on the ground for the people of Yemen was also echoed by other concerned parties and key Member States I have had the privilege to meet since Stockholm and, in particular in recent days, and I am grateful for their support and they know who they are. I am pleased to report that both sides have largely adhered to the ceasefire we agreed in Stockholm in Al-Hudaydah governorate that entered into force on 18 December and that there has been a significant decrease in hostilities since then. Unfortunately, and perhaps unsurprisingly, there has been some violence, including in Al-Hudaydah city and in the southern districts of the governorate.”
2019-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8441 (2019) · source
“I was interested to hear a reflection of exactly those sentiments, when I was in Sana'a on Sunday, in my meetings with Abdulmalik Al-Houthi, who firmly told me in no uncertain terms of the decision and commitment of his movement to implementing all the provisions that were agreed in Stockholm. So they both expressed determination to find a way forward and to build further on the progress made in subsequent rounds. I would like us all to bear that in mind, as I do, when we look at the progress - some of it somewhat difficult - on the implementation of those agreements. But I am grateful to President Hadi Mansour and, of course I am also grateful to Abdulmalik Al-Houthi.”
2019-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8441 (2019) · source
“Since the Stockholm consultations and in very recent days in this past week, I have had the privilege of meeting with President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi Mansour, and also, indeed, with the Ansar Allah leader, Abdulmalik al-Houthi. President Hadi Mansour, with whom I met yesterday in Riyadh, warmly welcomed the progress made in Stockholm and the Agreement made there to which he was the key decider, and he confirmed to me in very real and constructive terms his hopes, as we all have, that this is an important first step towards a comprehensive solution to the conflict.”
2019-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8441 (2019) · source
“I believe that the resolution adopted last month (see S/PV.8439) sends a very clear signal of the international community's support for the achievements that we were able to bring together in Stockholm and our plans to build subsequently on the momentum gained. Today I will take all this opportunity to brief the Council on the implementation of the commitments made by the parties in Stockholm, namely, the agreement reached on the city and governorate of Al-Hudaydah and the ports of Al-Hudaydah, Saleef and Ras Isa; secondly, the executive mechanism on activating the prisoner-exchange agreement; and thirdly, the statement of understanding on Taiz. I also hope to provide an update on our preparations for the next round of consultations.”
2019-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8441 (2019) · source
“Mr. Griffiths: The eyes ofthe world are focused on the momentum generated at the end of last year for the peace process by the consultations in Stockholm and the hope of the tangible improvement in the situation of the Yemeni people. As I stated to the Security Council immediately after those consultations, the success in Stockholm was its success. I must therefore start by thanking the members of the Security Council for adopting the resolution to which the President has referred (resolution 2451 (2018)), which endorsed the Stockholm Agreement, authorized the deployment of the advance team to support and facilitate implementation, and expressed support for the continuation of consultations early this year, including on the framework for negotiations.”
2019-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8441 (2019) · source
“Without their help, we would not have reached the point where we are today. This sense of international consensus and commitment was of great importance not just for the parties in Sweden, but also evidently for the people in Yemen, who are finding some small signs of hope for the future. As the Swedish Foreign Minister said to the press at the closing of those consultations, no longer can Yemen be considered a forgotten war. Now we can begin to hope for a track that may lead to its early resolution.”
2018-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8424 (2018) · source