Statement of Latvia during Security Council Briefing on Yemen (Maintenance of international peace and security)
New York, 14 January 2026
Thank you, Mr. President,
I thank Special Envoy Grundberg and OCHA Director Rajasingham for their briefing. And I welcome the participation of the Permanent Representatives of Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in this meeting today.
Mr. President,
I would also like to commend the Special Envoy for his leadership, together with the International Committee of the Red Cross, in facilitating the recent agreement in Muscat on the release of conflict-related detainees. It is a tangible step forward amid deep political divisions.
We urge all parties to ensure the agreement’s swift and effective implementation and to use this momentum through further confidence-building measures that reduce tensions and create trust.
At the same time, over the past months, we have witnessed deeply troubling unilateral and secessionist actions by the Southern Transitional Council. Such moves pose risk of fragmentation, weaken already fragile state institutions and, more importantly, deepen the daily insecurity faced by ordinary Yemeni people. In this regard we welcome the upcoming intra-South dialogue in Riyadh.
Latvia reaffirms its support to the Government of Yemen and the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen, as emphasized in various Security Council resolutions, and Resolution 2801 (2025) in particular.
Comprehensive political process is of vital importance to secure a mutually acceptable, peaceful solution that safeguards unity within the Presidential Leadership Council and the future of the Yemeni people.
In this context, and with regard to Yemen as a whole, we affirm our full support for the Special Envoy’s continuous efforts toward an inclusive, Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political process.
For such a process to succeed, inclusion must be genuine. The full, equal, safe and meaningful participation of diverse groups, and especially women, in peace efforts and political decision-making is essential to building durable peace in Yemen.
Mr. President,
Latvia remains gravely concerned by the picture presented in OCHA briefing. The assessment of the crisis’s impact on children and families across Yemen, including widespread hunger, is especially stark. We note with alarm that humanitarian needs are also rapidly increasing in southern governorates.
All parties must fully comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and ensure safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian access.
Women must be free to move safely and without restriction. This essential freedom also enables humanitarian assistance to reach those who need it most across Yemen.
Latvia strongly condemns the continued detentions by the Houthis of the UN personnel. These arbitrary arrests are unacceptable and strike at the very heart of the humanitarian response. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all detained UN and humanitarian personnel, NGO’s and diplomatic staff.
Mr President,
As this is my first intervention in the Council on Yemen, in the conclusion I would like to reassure you that Latvia will be a staunch supporter of UN-led efforts toward peace and stability in Yemen and a vocal and steadfast advocate of WPS and CAAC agendas, humanitarian access and the protection of civilians in Yemen.
I thank you.