Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,
Mr. Philemon Yang,
Informal Meeting of the Group of Friends (GoF) on Children and the SDGs, on the topic “Setting ambitions for children’s rights in 2025”
Friday, 13 December 2024, 08:30 – 09:45 am, UNICEF House, 3 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY, 10017
[As Delivered]
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I thank the Co-Chairs of the Group of Friends for inviting me to speak.
I take this occasion to commend the Group for their advocacy for the rights of children and for advancing this agenda at the United Nations, as part of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Your continued dedication has already achieved significant results, including the integration of children’s rights into key intergovernmental processes such as the Pact for the Future.
I have no doubt your efforts will continue to yield meaningful outcomes.
Excellencies,
Children—especially those living in conflict zones, on the streets, or in migration contexts—remain among the most vulnerable populations, often bearing the heaviest burden of global crises.
According to the Secretary-General’s 2023 report on the protection of civilians, three out of ten civilians killed in conflicts were children.
This is simply unacceptable.
As we prepare to mark the 80th anniversary of these United Nations next year, we must recommit to our founding legacy to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, and from all other suffering.
With determination, without delay, undeterred.
Let us intensify our efforts to protect and promote children’s rights.
Recalling that the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which celebrated its 35th anniversary this year, is a near-universally ratified treaty, we must devote all efforts to implementing its provisions to safeguard children’s rights.
Equally critical is to ensure that we accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, and, in particular, on the issue of child poverty, which traps children in cycles of hardship.
Excellencies,
We share a collective responsibility to create a world that respects, protects, and fulfills every child’s rights. A world aligned with our aspirations for sustainable development and lasting peace.
During my presidency, I will prioritize peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, which includes safeguarding children’s rights and well-being.
I will advocate for the implementation of the Pact for the Future’s commitments concerning children and young people.
Among these critical concerns is the grave issue of child labour, a human rights violation that must be universally condemned.
I intend to spotlight this topic during my presidency in order to raise awareness and promote the elimination of child labour in all its forms, including the recruitment and use of child soldiers.
I will elaborate more on these priorities in my speech this January.
In the meantime, I look forward to the support and cooperation of this Group of Friends, including through their active participation in the various General Assembly processes.
Excellencies,
By upholding children’s rights, we can create a world where every child reaches their full potential—free from harm and violence, with their dignity and well-being always protected.
As we work toward this goal, we must also recognize that children have the right to be active participants in shaping their own futures.
This commitment aligns with the principles outlined in the Declaration on Future Generations, which we adopted as part of the Pact for the Future last September, and which emphasizes our duty to consider the rights and needs of those yet to be born.
We must amplify the voices of children and youth, recognizing them as vital agents of positive change.
Their active participation is essential for advancing peace, security, sustainable development, and human rights.
To achieve this, children and youth must be placed at the core of policies and implementation strategies for the Sustainable Development Goals, with a strong focus on protecting their rights and well-being.
Furthermore, their meaningful engagement must be prioritized at both national and international levels, ensuring their contributions shape our collective efforts toward a better future.
Indeed, as emphasized in the Declaration on Future Generations, youth have a right to be consulted.
For they hold the greatest stake in the fate of our world – as the children of today, will be the adults of tomorrow.
Let us act decisively and in solidarity to build a better future for all children, everywhere.
I thank you
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Event Webcast Link: International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime | UN Web TV
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