Ban announces ‘inclusive consultations’ on Yemen; urges good faith engagement

The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, said today that he is pleased to announce the launch of inclusive consultations aimed at restoring momentum towards a Yemeni-led political transition process, according to a statement released by his Spokesman.

“The Secretary-General urges all the participants to engage in these United Nations consultations in good faith and without preconditions,” said the statement. “The only durable resolution to the crisis in Yemen is an inclusive, negotiated political settlement.”

The consultations, which begin on 28 May in Geneva, will bring together a broad range of Yemeni Governmental and other actors, and follow extensive consultations by Mr. Ban's Special Envoy, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, together with strong expressions of support by the Security Council in several resolutions seeking a peaceful and Yemeni-led political transition process.

In the most recent, Resolution 2216 (2015), members emphasized the need for a return to the application of the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and its Implementation Mechanism, and of the outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue Conference. They also reaffirmed full support for, and commitment to, UN efforts to relaunch the political dialogue.

The statement described how the different political and social constituencies of Yemen came together to chart a course for democratic change and a new vision for the country during the Comprehensive National Dialogue Conference.

“Tragically, Yemen has now slid into a conflict that risks spilling across its borders and that is having a dramatic impact on civilians, who are paying the highest price,” said the Spokesman. “The United Nations has worked closely with Yemenis since 2011 to support national aspirations for change. With this experience and coupled with Yemen's tradition of dialogue, the Secretary-General hopes these consultations will help Yemen re-launch the political process, reduce the levels of violence and alleviate the intolerable humanitarian situation.”