Protecting Children in Armed Conflict – Our Common Future

One in every six children grows up in an area of armed conflict.

The places where they live, learn and play are destroyed.

They may lose loved ones or become separated from their families.

This has a serious impact on their physical and mental health.

Conflicts that become protracted can mar entire childhoods.

Protecting children in conflict zones is a matter of urgency. Our common future relies on it.

Beyond the suffering of individuals, conflict tears apart the social fabric.

It damages the prospects for conflict resolution and reconciliation. It hampers sustainable development.

We have the principles and tools we need to protect children in armed conflict, but the parties to conflict often do not uphold respect for international humanitarian law and human rights. It is children who pay the price.

We must promote these principles, respect our legal obligations and work to ensure the full protection of children.

Engaging with armed actors to ensure the protection of children is crucial, even when such dialogue is politically sensitive.

We must support the efforts of neutral and independent intermediaries who seek to influence and modify behaviour.

We must support principled humanitarian action and actors that engage with all parties to conflict. This is crucial in order to reach the children that are most at risk.

But compliance with international humanitarian law is not enough on its own. Children need violence and conflict to cease.

We must spare no efforts in seeking to resolve conflicts and establish peace processes that include children and young people. This means encouraging parties to conflict to end the violence and seek solutions.

It can be overwhelming to witness the suffering of children affected by armed conflict. But we both can and must take action.

I am encouraged by the broad attendance here today, by the messages of hope and by the call to action from children. They know what they need.

I urge you all to join our global commitment: “The suffering of children affected by armed conflict is one of the most pressing political and humanitarian concerns today. We commit to making every effort to ensure the protection of children in armed conflict and safeguard our common future.”

Thank you for your attention.