We welcome the appointment of Martin Griffiths and thank the outgoing Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed for his tireless engagement since April 2015.

With the appointment of the new Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, it is more crucial than ever to set the political process in motion once again. In view of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, it is vital that no more time be wasted. We urgently appeal to the parties to the conflict to rejoin negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations.

Germany will continue to work to bring about a political solution in Yemen and is willing to provide the Special Envoy with every support and good offices. The critical situation in Yemen and Germany’s role in supporting the efforts of the United Nations were the focus of an initial meeting with Martin Griffiths at the Federal Foreign Office last Thursday.