Barran Press
UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, concluded a visit to London on Friday, September 13, 2024, where he held what his office described as "high-level" meetings with senior officials.
In a statement, Grundberg's office revealed that he engaged in discussions with Deputy Foreign Secretary, Hamish Falconer, Permanent Under-Secretary for the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and Annelise Dodds, Minister for Development at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The meetings focused on "enhancing international efforts to support Yemen's path towards stability, ensuring a coordinated approach to overcome current challenges, and strengthening lasting solutions," the statement said.
Grundberg highlighted economic challenges, escalating tensions in the Red Sea, and broader regional dynamics during the meetings, emphasizing their impact on the peace process in Yemen. He reiterated his commitment to the urgent call made by the UN Secretary-General for the release of all detained colleagues, urging their immediate release and allowing them to resume their crucial work and reunite with their families, who yearn for their safe return.
"Unified regional and international support for the UN's mediation efforts in Yemen is crucial," he stated, emphasizing its importance in "effectively addressing the urgent needs of the Yemeni people and paving the way for a peace process that makes any progress sustainable and irreversible."
On Thursday, September 12, Grundberg warned of a potential "serious" oil spill and an "unprecedented" environmental disaster following the targeting of a Greek oil tanker by the Houthis, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the UN, late last month.
This warning came during his monthly briefing to the UN Security Council, delivered via videoconference, where he discussed recent developments and peace efforts in Yemen. He stated, "Of particular concern recently is the targeting of the Greek oil tanker 'M.V. Sounion' by the Houthis, forcing the crew to abandon the vessel. This poses an imminent threat of a serious oil spill and an unprecedented environmental disaster."
On December 23, 2023, the UN announced that Yemeni parties had reached understandings to commit to a set of measures, including implementing a nationwide ceasefire, taking steps to improve living conditions in Yemen, and engaging in preparations for a comprehensive political process under UN auspices.
However, the roadmap and peace efforts in Yemen have stalled due to attacks by the Houthis, designated as a terrorist organization by the UN, against commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Gulf of Aden since November 2023.