New York: Europe and the Arabs
The Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, stressed that a sustainable solution to the conflict in Yemen can only be formulated “by the Yemenis themselves,” and called on the parties to meet with others “within an inclusive framework to build a common peaceful future.”
This came in a statement issued by his office at the conclusion of his visit to the Saudi capital, Riyadh, where Grundberg met with Yemeni, regional and international officials and diplomats. The discussions focused on the next steps to facilitate reaching an agreement on measures to improve living conditions in Yemen, a ceasefire throughout the country, and an inclusive political process among Yemenis under UN auspices. According to what was stated in the United Nations news bulletin, a copy of which we received on Friday morning
Among the officials he met, the UN envoy met with the head of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi, to discuss developments in UN mediation efforts.
The Special Envoy said that Yemen is going through "a critical juncture that still holds the opportunity to bring the Yemenis closer to achieving the just peace they aspire to."
The UN envoy also held a meeting with the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassim Al-Budaiwi, during which the two officials agreed on the necessity of the region’s continued support for Yemen on the path of peace and recovery.
During his discussions with the ambassadors of the five permanent members of the Security Council, Grundberg highlighted the need for continued consensus in the Council on supporting a sustainable and comprehensive political solution in Yemen that meets the aspirations of Yemeni men and women.
The UN envoy said in his statement that the organization is committed and ready to provide the space to find a sustainable solution to the conflict “as soon as the parties take the decisive steps necessary to turn this vision into reality.”