NEW YORK: The UN Security Council has called for greater access for aid deliveries to Yemen’s ports, warning of ongoing suffering resulting from the three-year-old war.
Karel van Oosterom, the UN ambassador for the Netherlands, which holds the council’s rotating presidency this month, expressed his frustration at the conflict. He added that he hoped a 1,500-word statement that was issued by the Security Council on Thursday would “translate into real action on the ground.”
“The key issue for us is full and sustained humanitarian access, and that’s both through the airports and the ports,” van Oosterom told reporters. “We certainly also need to find a sustained political solution so the basis of the current conflict would be solved.”
The UN statement, agreed by the 15-nation body with input from Saudi Arabia and others, calls for the ports of Hodeidah and Saleef to open fully for all “commercial and humanitarian imports, including food, fuel and medical imports.”
It also calls for “increased access to Sanaa Airport for lifesaving humanitarian supplies,” warning that “denial of humanitarian access can constitute a violation of international humanitarian law.”
Saudi Arabia, and other members of the Arab coalition fighting Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants, restricted shipments into Yemen after it emerged that the Houthis were receiving weapons supplies from Tehran.
The council urged the forces inspecting vessels in accordance with a UN arms embargo to do so in an “efficient and timely manner” so there would be no hold-ups in the delivery of commercial or humanitarian goods.
The UN statement condemned Houthi ballistic missile strikes on Saudi Arabia and praised the Kingdom’s humanitarian efforts in Yemen, as well as promises of $1.5 billion for the UN from Riyadh.
UN demands aid access to Yemen’s ports, Security Council condemns Houthi missile strikes on KSA
UN demands aid access to Yemen’s ports, Security Council condemns Houthi missile strikes on KSA
Saudi Cabinet welcomes ceasefire between Syrian government and SDF, condemns Gaza ceasefire violations
- Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossari said ministers welcomed cooperation between the Syrian government and the SDF, supported by Saudi Arabia and the US
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, on Tuesday welcomed a ceasefire between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces, reiterated the Kingdom’s support for resolving regional and international disputes through dialogue, and condemned Israeli violations of the Gaza ceasefire.
The Cabinet said the breaches in the Palestinian territory undermine efforts to stabilize the truce and advance the second phase of the peace plan, stressing the need for a just and lasting settlement that enables Palestinians to establish an independent state.
In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossari said ministers welcomed cooperation between the Syrian government and the SDF, supported by Saudi Arabia and the US, which led to a ceasefire agreement aimed at promoting peace, stability and national unity in Syria.
The Cabinet reviewed outcomes from several major international events hosted by the Kingdom, including the second Ministerial Council meeting of the Green Middle East Initiative, which expanded membership to 35 countries and reaffirmed commitments to plant more than 22 billion trees and rehabilitate 92 million hectares of land, SPA added.
Ministers also praised the International Conference on Building Capabilities in Data and AI in Riyadh, which saw the launch of multiple initiatives and the signing of 27 agreements to strengthen academic partnerships and advance the Kingdom’s national artificial intelligence strategy.
They commended the fifth Future Real Estate Forum, which resulted in 80 agreements and memoranda of understanding, as well as the Saudi Media Forum, highlighting Riyadh’s growing role as a global hub for innovation, digital transformation and content creation.
The Cabinet reviewed progress across government sectors, welcoming the launch of the National Privatization Strategy as a key step toward diversifying the economy, strengthening private sector participation, and improving infrastructure and public services. It also noted new development projects in the industrial cities of Makkah and Jeddah aimed at boosting local manufacturing and economic growth.
Among a series of decisions, the Cabinet approved cooperation agreements and MoUs with Cyprus, Finland, Brazil, Uzbekistan, South Korea and Mexico, alongside partnerships with Harvard University and the League of Arab States.
Ministers also approved Saudi Arabia’s National Policy for the Arabic Language, endorsed the Equestrian Authority’s membership in the International Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders, and adopted Gulf Cooperation Council framework legislation on combating narcotics and responding to hazardous materials incidents.
The Cabinet further approved the state’s final accounts for the previous fiscal year, renewed and appointed members to the General Authority for Real Estate board, and authorized several senior promotions across government departments, including ambassadorial and minister plenipotentiary roles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
