Security Council

7175^th Meeting (PM)

Security Council Hears First Report oF Committee Established

 

to Support Inclusive Political Transition in Yemen

 

Taking up the situation in the Middle East, the Security Council today heard the first report on the work of its 2140 Committee on Yemen, established in February to support a peaceful, orderly and inclusive political transition in that country.

Raimonda Murmokaitė (Lithuania), elected as Chair (with the delegation of Jordan as Vice-Chair), recalled that resolution 2140 (2014) reflected the demands and aspirations of the people of Yemen as set out in the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and Implementation Mechanism, and the outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue Council.  It included measures, among others, consisting of travel bans and a freeze on assets owned or controlled by individuals or entities identified as participants in activities that threaten the peace, security or stability of Yemen.  Further, the resolution called for a panel of experts to assist the Committee with fulfilling its mandate.

She said that the Committee’s first order of business in March of this year was the adoption of guidelines for the conduct of work, which were then announced to all Member States through a note verbale and press release.  The Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs proposed four individuals to serve on the panel of experts, and those persons were then appointed.  Since then, one had to withdraw due to time constraints.  At present, a replacement was being sought.

Prior to its first meeting, she said, the Committee had a letter from the Chair of the Security Council Committee concerning Al-Qaida and Associated Individuals and Entities proposing a recommendation by its Monitoring Team as standard practice for committees that had an agreement with INTERPOL for the dissemination of Security Council-INTERPOL Special Notices.  She informed the Chair that the Committee would consider adoption of that procedure in the coming days.

The first Committee meeting, held on 30 April 2014, set out to initiate dialogue between the Committee and representatives of Yemen and member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, she said.  At that time, Yemen’s delegate stressed the importance of taking into account economic and humanitarian factors when addressing his country’s challenges.  Noting that all participants taking the floor also underscored continuing a dialogue, she stressed, “It is my intention to maintain an inclusive and participatory approach in steering this Committee forward.”

Shortly after, she went on to say, the Committee met in informal consultations with the three members of the panel of experts and explored how to proceed with their work and what challenges they foresaw.  During the panel’s stay in New York, they met with a wide range of actors and stakeholders, including representatives of Yemen and Gulf Cooperation Council member countries.  In addition, the panel would travel to Yemen in the near future to gather first-hand information.

The panel’s update was to be before the Security Council no later than 25 June of this year, she said.  In accordance with resolution 2140 (2014), that update would be discussed in the Committee.  Moreover, the panel would be able to, at any time, present relevant information to the Committee, which, would in turn, report to the Council, along with other Committee discussions and activities.  She concluded commending Yemen and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries for their concerted efforts as the Committee began its work.

The meeting began at 3:08 pm and ended at 3:15 pm.

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For information media • not an official record