“I call on this Council to remain united in supporting a credible path back to a political process.“and I urge regional actors to align around the same purpose and use their influence in a coordinated manner to guide Yemenis towards compromise,” he said.
A ‘fragile’ situation
Since 2014, Yemeni government forces, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, and Houthi rebels have been fighting for full control of the fractured country.
The internationally recognized authorities are largely based in the southern city of Aden, while the Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, control the capital Sanaa and large areas of the north and west.
In recent months, forces affiliated with a separatist group in the south have advanced into more territory.
Grundberg reported from Riyadh, the Saudi capital, where he held talks with Yemen’s newly appointed Prime Minister Shaya al-Zindani and members of the Presidential Leadership Council.
He highlighted early positive signs in government areas, including improvements in electricity supply and the payment of public sector salaries, and praised the appointment of three female cabinet ministers.
“However, continued tensions, recent security incidents and demonstrations, in which violence and loss of life have been reported in some cases, highlight the fragility of the situation“, said.
‘Protect recent gains’
He told the Council that the new cabinet “can Protect recent achievements by anchoring them in strengthened institutions and economic reforms.”.
Furthermore, a planned dialogue in the south offers an opportunity to begin addressing long-standing grievances and build consensus on issues important to the people of the region and to all Yemenis.
Grundberg said stabilization in any part of the country will not last if the broader conflict is not comprehensively addressed.
“It is time to take decisive action in this regard,” he said. “Without a broader negotiated political solution to the conflict, progress will remain vulnerable to reversal.”
The way forward
The UN envoy has been engaging with conflict parties, regional actors and the international community to explore ways to restart an inclusive political process in Yemen.
His office has also held consultations with a diverse group of Yemenis, resulting in three conclusions.
The first requires recognizing what more than a decade of war has done to Yemen. Although the conflict has become more complex, the common goal has remained firm and steadfast.
“Yemen needs an inclusive political process under UN auspices “A negotiated political settlement that can end the conflict sustainably is difficult to reach, but getting there requires the parties to take a forward-thinking approach,” he said.
Restarting a political process will require a joint commitment on political, economic and security issues “without commitment on one path depending on progress on another,” he added.
The third point requires a credible process that allows Short-term agreements that reduce suffering and demonstrate progress.. At the same time, space must be created for negotiations on longer-term issues, including the future configuration of the state, security arrangements and governance principles.
Detained personnel released
The Special Envoy also used the briefing to reiterate his call for the unconditional release of dozens of UN staff members who have been arbitrarily detained by the Houthis.
At the moment, 73 employees are locked uptogether with representatives of civil society and diplomatic missions.
“Many have been kept incommunicadowith serious concerns about their conditions and well-being. “Some have been referred to the Ansar Allah special criminal court, which is conducting trials that fall far short of basic due process,” he said.
He noted that this week marked one year since a World Food Program (WFP) staff member died in detention and no investigation has been carried out.
Houthis storm UN offices
A senior official from the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, updated the Council on the humanitarian situation in Yemen.
“As we have said before in this Council, these detentions of humanitarian workers are having a profound impact on operations,” Lisa Doughten, director of OCHA’s funding and outreach division, told ambassadors.
He reported that the Houthis de facto Authorities entered several UN offices in Sanaa on January 29 “without permission, seizing equipment and vehicles.”
They also continue to withhold authorizations for United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) flights to Marib, although flights to Sana’a resumed over the weekend after a month-long suspension.
Millions in need
The “interferences and impediments” come as 22.3 million people – half the population – need humanitarian assistance this year, or almost three million more than in 2025.
Around 18 million people face food insecurity, making Yemen the most serious hunger crisis in the region. It is also the country with the highest number of people who are in emergency food security conditions, about 5.5 million.