Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Sérgio França Danese, at the UNSC Briefing on Yemen - August 16th, 2023

Madam President,

We extend our gratitude to Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and OCHA Director Edem Wosornu for their comprehensive briefings and their dedication to the people of Yemen on behalf of the international community. I thank Ms. Amat Al-Salam Abdullah Abdo Al-Hajj for her compelling tesitimony. Also, we welcome the delegations of Yemen and Saudi Arabia and look forward to listening to their insights.

Brazil deeply regrets yet another tragic death of a United Nations worker in his humanitarian duty in Yemen. The cowardly assassination of Moayad Hameidi affects us all and cannot go unpunished.

Brazil reiterates its view that Yemen's current state of no war and no peace is detrimental to the country's future. This stalemate threatens to become a way of life, but we must collectively redouble our efforts to prevent such a grim reality from taking hold.

We believe that a Yemeni-Yemeni agreement is the cornerstone for broader peace across Yemen. We urge all parties to exercise restraint, cultivate moderate positions rooted in realism, and work towards a common understanding that transcends shortsighted individual interests.

Such an understanding would likely pave the way for additional agreements on vital issues such as the equitable sharing of natural resources, including oil reserves and exports, central bank policies and assets, and the resumption of freedom of movement across Yemeni roads in and out of the country's vital ports.

While the Yemenis must ultimately decide their political future, we must not underestimate the importance of the Council's unified support - and I emphasize unified - for the work undertaken by Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. Similarly, broad consultations with women, youth, and civil society are essential to foster the conditions necessary for an inclusive intra-Yemeni political dialogue.

The current momentum, galvanized by positive geopolitical trends such as the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement and recent confidence-building measures, must be effectively used to Yemen's advantage. The exchanges of prisoners and bodies of deceased fighters, as well as the increase in flights and destinations out of Sana'a airport, are promising signs and must be built upon.

However, we must not lose sight of the 21.6 million Yemenis in desperate need of humanitarian assistance. The alarming lack of funding, which has led the World Food Programme to halt aid in several nations, including Yemen, is of particular concern to us.

We are also concerned about the reports regarding the situation of members of the Bahá-í religious community who remain detained in Yemen. We recall the importance of fully respecting the rights of religious minorities.

Bolstering the country's economy and strengthening local authorities' ability to provide essential services is a sustainable way to address urgent needs.

Brazil welcomes the recent offer by Saudi Arabia of a substantial package of economic aid to help boost Yemen's struggling economy, pay salaries and improve food security.

We also commend the UN, partners, and donors for the remarkable progress in the operation to salvage the dilapidated Safer oil supertanker. The successful transfer of the equivalent of 1.14 million barrels of oil to the replacement vessel was a significant achievement, which averted a combined humanitarian and environmental disaster in the red sea. Brazil expresses its hope that the next stages are safely concluded.

Achievements such as this one should inspire us all when dealing with crisis.

The current state of affairs in Yemen is not sustainable, as it provides no real solution to the protracted suffering of millions of Yemeni, especially women and children. Let us renew our commitment to a nationwide political settlement and a Yemen that is peaceful, stable and prosperous.

Thank you.