UAE and Arab Coalition strongly back UN efforts to reach a political solution in Yemen

The Minister of State for International Cooperation made the remarks during meetings with senior UN officials and members of the UN Security Council

Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, met with the UN Security Council. Jim Watson / AFP

The UAE and Arab Coalition strongly back efforts by the United Nation’s Special Envoy to reach a political solution in Yemen, Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, has said.

Ms Al Hashimy reaffirmed their support of Special Envoy Martin Griffiths’ work during meetings with senior UN officials and members of the UN Security Council on Monday.

“We welcome the Special Envoy’s efforts to facilitate the Houthis’ peaceful handover of Hodeida to the legitimate government of Yemen, consistent with UN Security Council Resolution 2216,” she said.

“We share the concerns of the international community about the Houthis’ laying of mines and the positioning of snipers and heavy weapons in residential areas of Hodeida, activities that show their total disregard for their obligations under international humanitarian law, and their perception of the humanitarian situation as a political bargaining chip.”

Ms Al Hashimy also discussed coordinated efforts to provide humanitarian assistance into Hodeida and other areas of Yemen.

The UAE contributed $465 million (Dh1,708m) in unrestricted funds to the UN for the Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan in March. And it has provided almost $4 billion in humanitarian assistance to Yemen over the past three years as part of the Arab Coalition’s support, which has totalled $15b.

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Ms Al Hashimy met with various UN representatives, including Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme; Mark Lowcock, Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs; and Henrietta Fore, Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund, as well as members of the UN Security Council.