Latvia voted in favour of this resolution, and we welcome its unanimous adoption.
We would like to thank the United Kingdom as penholder for its exemplary work throughout the negotiation process.
We would like to use this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to the Panel of Experts for its diligent work in supporting the 2140 Sanctions Committee. We commend their continued commitment to independent, impartial and evidence-based reporting.
Latvia welcomes the request to the Secretary General to expand the Panel of Experts on Yemen to six members through the addition of dedicated expertise on maritime security, as well as enhancing of the Panel's reporting scope.
The expanded expertise and additional reporting will better inform the Council in its future deliberations and send a clear signal of the Council's continued vigilance and determination to ensure effective implementation of the sanctions regime.
Latvia also welcomes the increased emphasis on practical cooperation and capacity-building support for the Government of Yemen, which is essential given the significant responsibility it bears in preventing illicit arms flows, implementing the sanctions regime and contributing to Yemen’s security and stability.
Latvia would have preferred to see the Council take swift and more decisive steps to prevent dual-use items intended for military purposes from reaching the Houthis. Closing procurement and diversion pathways is essential to curbing the Houthis’ expanding domestic weapons production capabilities.
Latvia condemns the Houthis’ attacks against Saudi Arabia and international shipping in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait, as well as against fellow Yemenis. They exacerbate the dire humanitarian situation and pose a serious threat to freedom of navigation and international peace and security. Latvia stands in solidarity with the Government of Yemen and Saudi Arabia in the face of Houthi attacks, and reiterates their right to defend themselves. We also reiterate our commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen.
Looking ahead, Latvia hopes that the Council will demonstrate the necessary resolve in its forthcoming decisions to ensure that the 2140 sanctions regime remains effective, targeted and responsive to evolving methods of procurement, financing, smuggling and domestic weapons production.
Thank you.