Yemen: UN calls to seize the moment of regional de-escalation to advance the peace process

June 16, 2026 World and Security

“For almost three years, regional shocks have complicated the prospects for the peace process in Yemen, increasing mistrust between the parties and delaying readiness for compromises,” noted Grundberg.

According to him,Agreement between the USA and Iranmay become a turning point for the region and open up new opportunities for advancing negotiations.

The conflict is not over

The special envoy emphasized that, despite relative calm within the country and the absence of new attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, the Yemeni conflict remains unresolved.

“The conflict in Yemen is not over, but remains in a suspended state, and every day the Yemenis are paying for this indefinite status quo,” said Grundberg.

According to him, the prolonged confrontation drains the country’s resources, increases social fragmentation, and contributes to militarization, forcing even teachers and students to join armed formations for survival.

Economic difficulties and protests

The special envoy noted that the recent regional crisis has put additional pressure on Yemen’s economy, which depends on the import of food and fuel. Rising prices and inflation have already caused protests in Aden and other parts of the country due to power outages during the summer heat.

He welcomed the economic reforms of the Yemeni government, as well as Saudi Arabia’s allocation of 150 million dollars for fuel supplies to power plants in the region controlled by the government.

Largest exchange for concluded

One of the most significant achievements of recent months, Grundberg called the parties’ agreement onthe release of more than 1600 prisoners, related to the conflict. The agreement was reached after 14 weeks of negotiations under the auspices of the UN in Amman.

According to the Special Envoy, this is the largest prisoner exchange operation in the entire history of the conflict. He called on the parties to begin implementing the agreements as soon as possible with the support of the International Red Cross Committee.

UN staff remain on guard

Grundberg also again demanded the release of UN staff held by the militias.

“Seventy-three employees of the United Nations Organization are still being held arbitrarily,” he reminded.

According to him, the detentions violate international law, cause suffering to families, and seriously limit the UN’s ability to help millions of residents of the country in need.

The humanitarian situation is worsening

Speaking before the Council, the Deputy Secretary-General of the UN for humanitarian affairs Tom Fletcher warned of the rapid deterioration of the situation of the residents of Yemen.

According to him, over the past month the proportion of people facing acute food insecurity has risen to almost 60 percent. Today, more than 18 million people suffer from acute hunger.

“If nothing changes, hunger will intensify. Suffering will increase. Even more lives will be lost,” he said.

The situation of children causes particular concern: more than 2.2 million children under the age of five suffer from acute malnutrition.

Fletcher addressed the members of the Security Council with three main requests: to seek the release of detained UN personnel, to increase funding for humanitarian activities, and to support efforts to achieve peace. He noted that the humanitarian response plan for Yemen has received less than 15 percent of the necessary funding.

“Only a political decision that belongs to the Yemeni people themselves and is supported by the Security Council can provide the Yemenis with the future they deserve,” Fletcher emphasized.