New York, 15 December 2015- The Secretary-General welcomes the start of the Yemen peace talks today in Switzerland under the facilitation of his Special Envoy, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed. After months of civil war and thousands of lives lost, it is clear that a negotiated and inclusive political settlement is the only solution.

The Secretary General welcomes the cessation of hostilities that has started together with the opening of the talks. He urges all parties to respect this initiative and work to ensure that it becomes a permanent and lasting end to the conflict.

The Secretary General welcomes the letter of the Pact of Yemeni Women for Peace and Security which he received yesterday. He joins these Yemeni women in expressing the hope that the current talks in Switzerland will mark the end to military violence in Yemen and the country’s return to the path of sustainable peace. The Secretary General reiterates his belief in the importance and value of including women in peace processes.

The Secretary-General urges all stakeholders to demonstrate good-will and work together for the sake of the Yemeni people and a peaceful future.