A Vietnamese diplomat has called on all sides in the ongoing conflict in Yemen to halt fighting and resume peace talks in the Middle Eastern country. 

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN,
|calls for resuming peace talks in Yemen. (Photo: VNA)

Addressing a UN Security Council session regarding the current situation in Yemen on September 15, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, raised concerns about recent fighting in Yemen, as well as the recruitment of children for the purpose of violence. 

The Vietnamese diplomat therefore called for a UN technical team to swiftly receive authorisation to access and accomplish tasks on the Safer oil tanker that is moored in the Red Sea off Al-Hudaydah. He also urged all relevant parties to strictly implement both the Stockholm and Ryadh Agreements which aim to avoid military offensives and alleviate humanitarian suffering among the people of Yemen. 

Vietnam supports the efforts of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen and UN agencies to introduce a comprehensive political solution for Yemen, Ambassador Quy stressed. 

During the meeting, UNSC members examined a number of updated reports compiled by Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen Martin Griffiths and Under-Secretary General and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock. 

According to the reports, the situation in Yemen continues to worsen. Most notably, an escalation of military action in Ma’rib province has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes and threatened to destroy peace negotiations.

Furthermore, economic challenges also pose risks for local people, with rising market prices and a lack of drinking water being a real danger, resulting in more than 9 million Yemenis facing famine and a lack of medical care. A decline in international aid being sent to Yemen, coupled with an insufficient supply of fuel, have also contributed to worsening the situation in the country.

UNSC members expressed their support for efforts by the United Nations to mediate, reconcile, and promote negotiations, including the drafting of a joint declaration towards a nationwide ceasefire.