UN envoy expresses concern over impact of regional escalation on peace efforts in Yemen

UN envoy Hans Grundberg expressed deep concern on Thursday about the cascading effects of regional escalation in the Middle East on Yemen.

This came in a statement issued by him after concluding a visit to Moscow, during which he met with Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin, according to the media of his office in the Jordanian capital, Amman.

During the talks, the UN envoy gave a briefing on his communication with the parties and regional interlocutors and the work carried out by his office on the political, security and economic levels.

According to the statement, the two sides discussed "ways to build on the parties' commitments to the comprehensive peace roadmap in Yemen amid the current escalating environment."

Grundberg stressed that international cooperation and diplomatic efforts are the only way to reverse the current worrying trend affecting Yemen, the Red Sea and the region.

He also stressed the importance of maintaining the Security Council's consensus on Yemen, and continuing efforts to cooperate towards de-escalation for the benefit of Yemen and the region.

The discussions touched on the Houthi group’s kidnapping of UN, international NGO and civil society staff since mid-June, and the UN’s efforts to secure their immediate and unconditional release.