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For Oral Answer on : 18/11/2021
Question Number(s): 51 Question Reference(s): 56184/21
Department: Foreign Affairs
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
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QUESTION
* To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the efforts being made by Ireland at the United Nations to help to resolve the crisis situation in Yemen; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
– David Stanton T.D.
For ORAL answer on Thursday, 18 November, 2021.
REPLY
Yemen is the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, driven by seven years of conflict, economic collapse and the breakdown of public institutions and services which has left over 24 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.
Ireland along with all EU member states fully supports the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg in his efforts to secure a nationwide ceasefire, and the resumption of an inclusive Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political process, as set out in relevant United Nations resolutions, including Security Council resolution 2216 (2015).
As part of our role on the Security Council, Ireland is maintaining a very high level of engagement on Yemen with key parties in the region. I have engaged extensively with both the Government of Yemen and countries of the region this year to urge them to work urgently and constructively towards a sustainable peace. At the High Level Week in New York in September, I met with the Foreign Ministers of Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Iran, urging all to support efforts towards peace in Yemen. I also held discussions with the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg in Amman on 4 November where he updated me on the worsening security situation in the country.
The EU also continues its active diplomatic outreach to relevant actors in support of the efforts of the UN Special Envoy. During his visit to the Gulf from 30 September – 4 October, EU HRVP Josef Borrell reiterated European Union support to the UN-led peace efforts.
Ireland will continue to support all efforts towards peace in Yemen, including at the Security Council, where we have consistently called on all parties to engage urgently and seriously with the UN led process.