Yemen

The United Nations system in Syria says it is gravely concerned about the protection of thousands of people who are estimated to remain trapped by ongoing fighting in Da’esh-held areas of Hajin in south-eastern Deir ez-Zor Governorate, as well as for some 11,000 who have fled these areas since December 2018.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development said global trade in creative goods and services, including the fashion, design, media and software industries, is expanding mostly because of China, doubling from $208 billion in 2002 to $509 billion in 2015.  India, Singapore, Turkey, Thailand and Mexico also stimulated that growth.

The UN mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) is conducting an operation to restore order in Bambari, Ouaka Prefecture, in coordination with the country’s security forces.  The operation is in response to attacks by Union pour la paix en Centrafrique against the local population and peacekeepers.

Amid a languishing humanitarian crisis in Yemen and many hurdles to overcome, gradual and tentative progress has moved the nation along on a path towards peace, officials told the Security Council today, providing updates on fresh achievements in reducing hostilities.

In Yemen, the humanitarian situation remains catastrophic, with 24 million people – or 80 per cent of the population – needing aid, Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock told the Security Council this morning.  The World Food Programme is expanding assistance to soon reach 12 million people a month.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime released a report that says the number of human trafficking victims is on the rise and calls on countries to strengthen their cooperation to protect victims and bring criminals to justice. 

The High Commissioner for Human Rights calls on Bahrain to immediately and unconditionally release human rights defender Nabeel Rajab and ensure that all Bahrainis are able to exercise their rights to freedom of opinion and expression without fear of arbitrary detention.  She urges Bahrain to stop criminalizing dissenting voices.

Martin Griffiths, Special Envoy for Yemen, will visit that country and Saudi Arabia, starting 5 January.  In Sana’a, he is to meet with the Ansarallah leadership, General Patrick Cammaert and Humanitarian Coordinator Lise Grande.  In Riyadh, he expects to meet with President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.  

Calling on the parties in Yemen to implement their new agreement to halt combat in zones critical for delivery of life-saving aid, the Security Council today authorized the immediate deployment of an advance team to monitor compliance.

The new Permanent Representative of Yemen to the United Nations, Abdullah Ali Fadhel al-Saadi, presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres today.