Speeches and Statements

I welcome the announcement by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on behalf of the “Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen”, of a unilateral ceasefire in Yemen. This can help to advance efforts towards peace as well as the country…

Amman, 8 April 2019 - The Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, welcomes the announcement by the Joint Forces Command of a two-week unilateral ceasefire covering all ground, maritime and air…

Amman, 29 March 2020 - The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, is alarmed by the continuation and escalation of ground and aerial military activities in Yemen, in particular in and around Ma’rib governorate and the…

Amman, 26 March 2020 - I was heartened to see the positive responses to the Secretary-General's call for a ceasefire from both the Government of Yemen and Ansar Allah. I expect the parties to adhere to their words and put the…

Echoing his appeal to all warring parties across the globe for a ceasefire, the Secretary-General calls today on those fighting in Yemen to immediately cease hostilities, focus on reaching a negotiated political settlement…

Amman, 19 March 2020 - The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, is following with alarm the continuous military campaign in Al Jawf and Marib and the tragic toll it is taking on the lives of civilians and the…

Thank you very much indeed, Mr. President for giving me the opportunity to brief this Council. Mr. President, the last time I did so, I warned that the military situation in Yemen was growing increasingly dire. Today, I see…

I am going to speak in English, and I want to make sure, with your help, that I speak very accurately and carefully because this is a very important day for me to be here in Marib with the governor. I’m very pleased to be…

Amman, 28 February 2020 - The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, strongly condemns the recent military escalation in Al Jawf governorate in northern Yemen. He calls on all involved in the conflict to freeze all…

Yemen experienced one of the quietest periods of the conflict particularly in the air war. But recent military escalations since then have demonstrated the exceptional vulnerability of such gains that were made in the absence…

Thank you very much Mr. President, thank you Members of the Council, We are witnessing in Yemen what we have long feared. Since October, I have briefed this Council several times on the signs of hope and momentum towards…

Delegates representing the parties to the conflict in Yemen agreed on a detailed plan to complete the first official large-scale exchange of prisoners since the beginning of the conflict. This is a step towards the…