The following Security Council press statement was issued by Council President Liu Jieyi (China):

The members of the Security Council welcomed the progress made to date in Yemen’s ongoing political transition process and the Yemeni Government’s efforts to reconstruct the economy and safeguard security, including the National Dialogue Conference which has generated a peaceful, inclusive and meaningful dialogue about the country’s future amongst diverse actors, including youth, women, civil society representatives, the Houthi Movement and the Hiraak Southern Movement.

The members of the Security Council expressed concern, however, about the significant delays in concluding the National Dialogue Conference and emphasized the importance of concluding the National Dialogue Conference as soon as possible to move to constitutional drafting and electoral preparations, as the next steps in the transition. They called on all parties to engage constructively in a spirit of compromise to address the remaining critical issues necessary to conclude the dialogue, in particular those concerning the southern question and the structure of the State.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their concern over continuing reports of interference by those intent on disrupting, delaying or derailing the transition process and undermining the Yemeni Government. The members of the Security Council condemned any such attempts, whether by members of the former regime or political opportunists, notably by abstaining from participation in the National Dialogue Conference, threatening to do so or standing in the way of a consensus agreement to conclude the National Dialogue. The members of the Security Council called on all parties to adhere to the guiding principles of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Initiative and Implementation Mechanism for the transition process.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their support to the Yemeni Government to safeguard security, promote social and economic development and push forward political, economic and security reforms. They underlined their commitment to follow closely the peaceful political transition in Yemen, and emphasized that the conclusion of the political transition should be based on the completion of the steps contained in the GCC Initiative and its Implementation Mechanism. They reaffirmed their readiness to consider further measures in response to any actions by individuals or parties that are aimed at disrupting the transition process.

The members of the Security Council noted the expectation of the people of Yemen that a National Dialogue and transition process will lead to outcomes and actions that would improve security, governance and delivery of basic services to all Yemenis.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the good offices of the Secretary-General and, in particular, reaffirmed their support for the efforts of Special Adviser Jamal Benomar. They also commended the ongoing efforts of the Group of 10 Ambassadors in Sana’a and other international partners to support Yemen’s transition.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen.


Saba