Security Council Extends Mandate of 2140 Yemen Sanctions Regime for One Year, Adopting Resolution 2801 (2025) by Vote of 13 in Favour, 2 Abstentions
Meetings Coverage
Security Council
10044th Meeting (PM)
SC/16222
14 November 2025
The Security Council today decided to renew for 12 months a travel ban and assets freeze imposed on certain designated individuals and entities in Yemen and to extend for 13 months the mandate of the Panel of Experts tasked with assisting the Council's Yemen Sanctions Committee.
By a recorded vote of 13 in favour, to none against, with 2 abstentions (China, Russian Federation), the Council, acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, adopted resolution 2801 (2025) (to be issued as document S/RES/2801(2025)) and decided to renew, until 14 November 2026, the above measures, which were initially imposed by resolution 2140 (2014).
Further, the Council decided to extend the mandate of the Panel of Experts established by that resolution until 15 December 2026, also expressing its intention to review this mandate and take appropriate action regarding further extension no later than 14 November 2026.
Through the resolution, the 15-nation organ additionally requested the Panel of Experts to provide by 15 April 2026, a report and advice on dual-use components and precursor chemicals including a formal assessment of the impact and scope of their direct or indirect sale, supply or transfer to Yemen, as well as a report and advice for improving information sharing and flag State capacity to prevent vessels suspected of carrying arms or related materiel in violation of paragraph 14 of resolution 2216 (2015) from entering Yemen.
Calls for Stronger Controls on Dual-Use Components, Maritime Interdictions
In the ensuing discussion, Council members, while reaffirming the need to ensure peace and stability in Yemen, expressed divisions about how sanctions should be used. The representative of the United Kingdom, who led negotiations on the text, stressed that sanctions play a crucial role in the Council's collective efforts towards achieving lasting peace. The text will help constrain Houthis' capacity to destabilize Yemen, he said. Noting the increasing complexity and scale of their smuggling and financing, he pointed to the need for more attention to issues such as the transfer of dual-use components and the mechanisms for vessels suspected of carrying arms or related material. The Committee established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014) must coordinate with other relevant Sanctions Committees and monitor cross-border arms flows between Yemen, Al-Shabaab and designated groups in Sudan, he said.
Along similar lines, the representative of the United States welcomed the new requirements for the Panel of Experts to report on the flow of dual-use components and precursor chemicals that enable the Houthis' weapons programme. She also supported the resolution's call for the Panel to provide recommendation on maritime interdictions, but added: "We regret that the resolution does not go further in addressing the growing ties between the Houthis and terrorist organizations in the region." She also expressed disappointment that the Council did not direct the Panel to report more explicitly on the flow of resources between the Houthis and Al-Shabaab and lamented "the missed opportunity" to address importation of dual-use items and increasing maritime interdictions.
Denmark's delegate said the sanctions regime shows the Council's commitment to maintaining pressure on the Houthis and welcomed stronger language on due process, calling it essential for accountability. France's delegate said the resolution sends a clear signal that Houthi behaviour is unacceptable, but regretted that the text is not more ambitious and does not reflect the worsening situation. He noted that earlier proposals sought tighter control of dual-use components and new maritime interdiction measures. These issues will need further consideration once the Panel of Experts reports in April 2026, he added.
Greece's delegate, voicing concern over the volatile situation in and around Yemen, underscored that today's renewal of the sanction regime maintains pressure on the Houthis to engage constructively in a peace process, while the representative of the Republic of Korea, added: "This resolution demonstrates the Council's readiness to explore further ways to ensure that its decisions are implemented in a more effective manner." Panama's delegate said his maritime country strongly condemns any attacks carried out against commercial vessels in the Red Sea. Sanctions continue to play a fundamental role, enabling the Council's actions to be implemented in a technical manner, he said.
Concerns Raised Over Politicized Sanctions, Unclear Maritime Measures
However, the Russian Federation's delegate, who abstained, said that sanctions are intended primarily to serve the interests of advancing a political settlement and establish peace on the ground. "It is unacceptable to use them for narrow political purposes, so as to punish or exert unjustified pressure on certain parties," she stressed, adding that the politicized approach employed by Western colleagues is pushing away the prospect of returning to a peaceful diplomatic track. Further, the resolution is filled with numerous "unbalanced, one-sided passages" that antagonizes one of the key parties, she added.
China's delegate, who also abstained, stressed the importance of settling the issue through political and diplomatic means. He also expressed reservations about the proposed maritime interdictions, describing them as unclear and arbitrary, and infringing on the exclusive jurisdiction of flag States over their own vessels. These measures have "many defects that are highly susceptible to abuses" by certain countries, he said. While the adopted text has weaker content, "the specific language is clearly directional", he added, stressing that the Panel of Experts must strictly observe their mandate and follow a responsible approach.
Speakers also voiced support for the 2140 Committee and stressed the need for accountability, including Somalia's delegate, also speaking for Guyana, Algeria and Sierra Leone. He expressed concern about air strikes against Yemen, in particular Hodeidah, and called on all parties to avoid further escalation. Reaffirmingcommitment to Yemen's independence and territorial integrity, he said these principles must remain at the core of the international community's efforts. He then expressed concern about the detention of UN staff by Houthis and said such actions undermined the ability of the United Nations to carry out its mandate. While noting some improvements to the text, he regretted that other proposals put forward by his group were not reflected.
Pakistan's delegate also highlighted the role of the 2140 Committee, and called for accountability for individuals and entities that jeopardize Yemen's stability and security. Concurrently, he emphasized that the Panel of Experts must operate under the Committee's direction. He urged all Yemeni parties to engage constructively and in good faith under the UN auspices to bring an end to the conflict through an inclusive political settlement.
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