I welcome yesterday’s announcement by UN Secretary General Ban Ki‑moon of an unconditional humanitarian ceasefire in Yemen. In view of the humanitarian emergency in the country, this ceasefire is essential in order to give aid workers access to people in need. The conflict in Yemen has already cost the lives of far too many civilians.

We expect this ceasefire to be upheld unconditionally in the interests of the Yemeni population. At the same time, a political process guided by the United Nations and involving all parties to the conflict must start soon. We expressly support the endeavours by UN Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed to resolve the conflict in Yemen.