(Resumed) Reasserting international legal protections for children in armed conflict: strengthening the protection of education and the prevention of grave violations - Security Council, 10182nd meeting

The 10,182nd meeting of the Security Council is hereby resumed. I wish to remind all speakers speakers that they should limit their statements to no more than 3 minutes in order to ensure that the Council is in a position to conduct its work expeditiously. After 3 minutes, the microphone light will begin to flash to indicate that statements should be drawn to a close. I now wish to give the floor to the delegation of Poland, you have the floor.

Madam President, we thank Colombia for convening today's debate and for focusing attention on the protection of education, which remains both a fundamental right and essential safeguard against further grave violations against children. We also thank the briefers for the valuable contributions. Poland aligns itself with the remarks delivered by Canada on behalf of the Group of Friends of Children in Armed Conflicts.— and with the Statement of the European Union to be delivered later. Madam President, let me begin by reaffirming Poland's unwavering support for the Children in Armed Conflict mandate, as it marks its 30th anniversary this year, and for the work of the Special Rapporteur, Representative Vanessa Fraser, and her team. We highly appreciate the efforts undertaken this year, including the preparation of a comprehensive and well-researched report that helps shed light on the scale and patterns of violence affecting children in armed conflict. We also welcome the Office's supplementary and analytical work of the drivers and trends behind grave violations, which can help Member States better tailor prevention and protection efforts. The UN Secretary-General's report paints a deeply troubling picture. Beyond the alarming number of violations, it points to a broader challenge: a growing disregard for international humanitarian law and for the special protection afforded to children in armed conflict. A particularly concerning is the fact that grave violations are increasingly committed not only by the non-state armed groups, but also by the government forces. This trend should be a matter of concern for the entire international community. We cannot allow ourselves to lose sight of what is right and what is wrong. Respect for international humanitarian law is not optional. It is a legal obligation and cornerstone of international peace and security. This is especially relevant as the discussions continue on the future configuration of the United Nations mandates on the UNHCR reform process. Poland firmly believes that the Children in Armed Conflict agenda must remain anchored within the UN Security Council's peace and security mandate. The Children in Armed Conflict framework has demonstrated its relevance across the broad spectrum of conflict situations, including in Israel and Palestine, the Great Lakes region, the Sahel, and Ukraine, providing a common framework for monitoring, reporting, and engagement. At a time when violations are increasingly rather than decreasing, The international community needs stronger implementation of the existing mechanisms, not weaker ones. Madam President, Poland remains deeply concerned by the situation of children affected by Russian aggression against Ukraine, including unlawful transfers and deportations, attacks on civilian infrastructure, and restrictions on access to essential services. We take positive note of the Special Representative Feijer's recent visit to Kyiv and Moscow, and the engagement undertaken in this context. Given that this is now the fourth consecutive year in which Russia has been listed in the UN Secretary-General's Report on Children in Armed Conflict, we believe that the recommendations emerging from the Special Representative's discussion in Moscow should be now transferred— translated into concrete follow-up measures. In particular, Russia should engage with the United Nations in developing and implementing an action plan aimed at ending and preventing further grave violations against Ukrainian children. We also expect tangible progress in locating deported children clarifying their status and whereabouts, and ensuring their safe return to their families and/or their legal guardians. Repeated listing also underscores the importance of fully implementing the measures already agreed by this Council. In this regard, Russia was recently included for the first time in the United Nations Secretary-General's report on conflict-related sexual violence, while also remaining listed in the report on children and conflict before us today. UN Security Council Resolution 2244 Resolution 242 from 2015, adopted unanimously, including by Russia, provides that states repeatedly listed in the Annexes of the UN Secretary-General's Reports on CAC and conflict-related sexual violence should not participate in the United Nations peacekeeping operations. Poland supports the call for consistent implementation of this provision. Madam President, as initiator of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Poland remains firmly committed to advancing the protection of children in armed conflict. Looking ahead, we can encourage continued efforts to strengthen the international legal framework, including through negotiations on the future Convention on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity. Poland believes that the protection of children and other groups in vulnerable situations should remain an important consideration in this process. And I thank you.

I thank the delegate of Poland for that statement. I now give the floor To India, you have the floor.

Madam President, I extend India's sincere appreciation to Colombia for convening today's open debate and to the briefers, Ms. Vanessa Frazier, SRSG for Children in Armed Conflict, and Ms. Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF, for their valuable insights and expertise. We gather today to confront one of the most urgent imperatives before this Council. The protection of education for children living through the impossible circumstance of armed conflict. The Secretary-General's 2025 Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict presents alarming statistics. Attacks on schools rose by a staggering 44% in a single year. Nearly 473 million children, more than 1 in 6 globally, live in or are fleeing conflict zones, and more than 85 million among them have no access to education whatsoever. These figures are a damning verdict on humanity's collective failure to translate commitments into reality on the ground. Madam President, schools are far more than places of learning. They provide the foundational basis for the cognitive, emotional, and social development of children. To protect a child's education is therefore to protect a nation's future. It is with this conviction that India offers the following perspectives. First, National governments bear the primary responsibility to uphold their obligations to protect and promote a child's rights. In India, the right to education is a fundamental right enshrined in our Constitution, guaranteeing free and compulsory education up to the age of 14 years. In order to ensure access to quality education to all, we launched Diiksha, the digital infrastructure for knowledge sharing, which is our national digital platform for school education. It has democratized access to quality learning, through interactive content and AI-powered tools across multiple languages. Our domestic commitment to ensure access to affordable and quality education also shapes our engagement on this issue internationally. India leveraged digital technology as a vital enabler of access to education, especially in regions and during times with disrupted physical schooling, such as during the COVID pandemic. Our experience has convinced us that access to digital learning can be the bridge that helps children access education during conflicts. We believe that investment in education for those bearing the heaviest burden of war is an imperative. India has made sustained investments in facilitating education for refugees and displaced communities from across our neighborhood, recognizing that continuity of learning is among the most powerful tools for resilience and recovery. We have also invested in rebuilding education infrastructure, including the construction of schools and vocational training centers in different countries, including in our neighborhood. Finally, protection without accountability is incomplete. Those who target schools and children with impunity must be held to account. Madam President, education is a right that should endure in times of conflict. It is a right whose fulfillment is among the most powerful contributions to lasting peace. India remains unwavering in its commitment to protecting children in armed conflict and to uphold their right to learn, to grow, and to realize their full potential. Thank you, Madam President.

Je vous remercie.

I thank the representative of India for that statement. I now give the floor to Austria. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. Dear Leonor, allow me to thank Colombia for convening this open debate on children in armed conflict.— and to thank SRS Chief Raisir and the briefers for their insights. The latest report of the Secretary-General records the highest number of grave violations against children since the mandate's establishment. This includes the devastating impact of conflict on education. Attacks on schools deny children the right to education, causing long-term effects on their and their community's future. Rest assured that the implementation of the CAAC mandate remains— will remain a key area of our engagement when we will serve as an elected member on this Council. President, allow me to highlight three priorities that will guide us. First, strengthening prevention. CAAC's main purpose lies in prevention, not in blaming. Cooperation with and compliance by all Member States is essential. Austria will continue to advocate for full respect of international humanitarian law and for the protection of children from the effects of hostilities. We are particularly concerned by the increasing impact of explosive weapons in populated areas on children. Austria remains committed to EWIPA and to the Safe Schools Declaration. Second, we will continue to support an impartial and evidence-based CAC agenda. The Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism remains indispensable for documenting violations, identifying trends, and informing preventive action. Last November, Austria hosted a technical workshop on strengthening this mechanism, the MRM, including its role in identifying schools at risk and supporting preventive measures. We strongly encourage implementation of relevant action plans in this context. Third and last, invent— investing in protection and resilience. Technological advancements— advancement— advancements, sorry, including AI use in weapons systems, must not undermine child's rights and not exacerbate patterns of grave violations against children. Additionally, as a longstanding troop-contributing country and in line with Resolution 2764, Austria supports continued child protection capacities in UN peace operations at all phases. It is crucial that peace operations continue to prioritize to protection of children until the end of their mandate and ensure that these capacities are adequately handed over to other actors, including the host government, after the end of a mission's mandate. President, every right— every child has the right to safe education. Schools must remain places of learning, not targets of war. Supporting the CAAC agenda will remain a priority throughout our Council term. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Austria for that statement. I now give the floor to the Islamic Republic of Iran. You have the floor.

In the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful, Madam President, at the outset, allow me to congratulate you on the occasion of the International Day of Women in Diplomacy. We thank Colombia for convening this important annual open debate and appreciate the briefers for their valuable contributions. We take note of the Secretary-General's latest report and commend the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Freise, for her tireless efforts. However, the report fails to adequately reflect the devastating humanitarian consequences of the Israeli regime's 12-day war of aggression against children in Iran in June 2025. During the aggression, 47 Iranian children were martyred. Madam President, we cannot discuss the protection of children without addressing one of the gravest war crimes committed against Iranian children by the United States and the Israeli regime. During their recent act of aggression against Iran, the United States and the Israeli regime deliberately targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure. During this aggression, numerous schools and other educational institutions, along with other civilian objects, were struck, destroyed, or severely damaged. 220 children, including 17 under the age of 5, were martyred. The most horrific crime occurred at the primary school in Minab, Hormuzgan Province, during school hours while 264 students were attending classes. The school was struck twice by United States missiles. The attack killed 168 schoolgirls and schoolboys between the age of 7 and 12, as well as teachers and parents, and injured more than 96 others. Many victims remained trapped beneath the rubble for hours, and several bodies were so badly injured that They could not be identified. These were children exercising their fundamental rights to education in a place that should have been safe. They were civilians protected under international humanitarian law. Madam President, the attack on Minab constitutes two of the Security Council's six grave violations against children: the killing and maiming of children and attacks on schools. The US committed a war crime. It is not only the Iranian tragedy. It is a challenge to the credibility of the international legal order in which the UN was built. Iran unequivocally condemns these heinous war crimes and calls for full accountability for all perpetrators, planners, and commanders. The memory of the children of Minap demands justice, accountability, and action, not silence. The protection of children cannot be selective. International law must apply equal to all. I thank you.

I thank the Islamic Republic of Iran for that statement. I now wish to give the floor to the representative of Chile. You have the floor.

Madam President, I wish to thank Colombia for convening this open debate. I also wish to thank Special Representative Vanessa Fraser, Director Catherine Russell, and Director Reiman for their invaluable contributions. The protection of education in the context of armed conflict is a crucial prerequisite to guarantee the rights and well-being of children. When a school ceases to be a safe place an entire generation runs the risk of being exposed to violence, displacement, exploitation, and recruitment. Persistent attacks against schools and other educational environments demonstrate that we are still far from shouldering our collective responsibility to protect children. The Secretary-General's report confirms the magnitude of this challenge. In 2025, the United Nations verified around 40,000 grave violations that affected almost 25 thousand boys and girls. Behind each and every one of these figures, there is a— there are lives marked by violence, families that suffer, and boys and girls deprived of safety, education, and opportunities. These figures reflect a collective failure, one that we cannot normalize. These figures demand tangible action to guarantee that the protection of children is a central priority in our endeavors to maintain international peace and security. Madam President, Chile reaffirms its commitment to the Safe Schools Declaration and to efforts aimed at protecting education against the effects of armed conflicts. Guaranteeing safe and uninterrupted access to education is an essential investment in peace, as well as in resilience and in the recovery of societies affected by violence. Schools must remain spaces of learning and protection. They must never be military targets. Protecting schools is not only an act of protecting the right to education, but is also one of the primary mechanisms that we have to prevent other grave violations against children. We are deeply concerned to note that according to the report presented, government forces continue to feature among those chiefly responsible for killings and maimings of children, attacks against schools and hospitals, as well as the denial of humanitarian access. No party to conflict is exempt from its obligations. All parties must fully respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law. The protection of children is not optional. It is a legal and a moral obligation. Madame President, the challenge that we are today facing is not a paucity of international standards. The legal framework exists and our obligations are clear. The challenge lies in their effective implementation. Overcoming that challenge requires strengthening national protection mechanisms, guaranteeing accountability for grave violations, and integrating the protection of children into mediation processes, peace agreements, and transitional justice mechanisms. As such, with that in mind, Chile strives to contribute to this goal internationally and nationally as a state party to the Safe Schools Declaration, as an active member of the Group of Friends on Children in Armed Conflict, we support initiatives designed to protect the— designed to protect education in conflict. Nationally, Law 20,430 on Guarantees and the Comprehensive Protection of the Rights of the Child enshrined and strengthened a comprehensive system based on rights and inter-institutional coordination. Moreover, the National Commission of Humanitarian law promotes the implementation of the Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols. At the same time, we have included international humanitarian law as a part of mandatory training for our armed forces, and that serves to strengthen the respect of norms designed to protect civilians, particularly children. President, 30 years after the creation of this mandate, the world can no longer allege ignorance. We are fully cognizant of the magnitude of violations and their consequences. We are also cognizant of our obligations. As such, we must step up our efforts to prevent grave violations against children, guarantee accountability, and translate our commitments into tangible results and actions for children affected by armed conflicts.

Thank you.

I thank the representative of Chile for that statement. I now give the floor To Liechtenstein, you have the floor.

Thank you so much for the floor, Madam President. Madam President, Liechtenstein is deeply troubled by the fact that for another year children continue to be increasingly affected by conflict around the world. The SG's latest report verified 38,000 grave violations— affecting more than 24,000 children last year, setting a record for the highest number of children affected since the establishment of the mandate. The killing and maiming of children have reached unprecedented levels in the reporting period, illustrating the widespread disregard for the special protections afforded to children under international humanitarian law. We welcome today's focus on protecting education. School should be spaces where children are protected from violence and where they can feel safe to grow, learn, and play. According to the most recent report by the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack, schools continue to be attacked or used for forced recruitment. Over the last 2 years, there were more than 8,500 attacks on education and instances of military use. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every child can be spared the scars of war. The protection of educational facilities alongside hospitals, health facilities, is crucial in this respect. We call upon all states to implement Security Council Resolution 2601 and the Safe Schools Declaration, as well as commit to strengthening accountability for these IHL violations committed against civilians connected to schools, including children and teachers. Madam President, let me now turn to specific situations of grave concern discussed in the report of the Secretary-General. In Ukraine, The Russian Federation is committing all 6 grave violations against children at an increasing rate. We are deeply troubled by the more than 1.5 million children under occupation subjected to indoctrination and militarization, and by the forcible transfer and deportation of children that the Commission of Inquiry has found may amount to crimes against humanity. In this regard, we recall the ICC has issued arrest warrants against Russia's president and the children's rights commissioner. In line with General Assembly Resolution ES 11/9, we encourage the Secretary-General to step up his good offices and to coordinate UN action for the immediate, safe, and unconditional return of Ukrainian Children. In Sudan, 13 million children have been out of school for 2 years, and a number have experienced or witnessed unspeakable atrocities. This catastrophe requires a credible international mediation process, and we welcome efforts to convene parties, including the recent conference in Addis Abeba. For yet another year, the highest number of grave violations against children almost a third of all violations globally was verified in the occupied Palestinian territory. Most of these violations, including the killing, maiming, and detention of Palestinian children, were attributed to the Israeli armed and security forces. We strongly condemn the continued and widespread killing of innocent civilians, and particularly children, and reaffirmed that attacking civilians and civilian objects constitute war crimes. Madam President, the integrity of the listing process is fundamental to the credibility of the CAAC mandate. The SG's report must be evidence-based and hold all parties to the same standard. The annex should offer a complete, accurate, and rigorously verified list with a transparent process for listing and delisting applied consistently across every situation without political interference. For this reason, the monitoring and reporting mechanism also needs to be matched by sustained resources. As a strong supporter of the CARC mandate, Liechtenstein is proud to continue its financial contribution to its important work. I thank you so much.

Doy la gracia— I thank the representative of Liechtenstein for that statement. I now give the floor to Ukraine. You have the floor.

Madam President, Ukraine is grateful to the Colombian presidency for convening this annual debate. We thank the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, and his Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict, Vanessa Fraser, for the new report which paints an extremely grim picture. Violations against children in armed conflict have reached the highest level since the creation of the CAAC mandate 30 years ago. More children are being killed, maimed, abducted, recruited, raped and denied humanitarian assistance than ever before in history. When this mandate was established, we all hoped that greater attention, robust monitoring and accountability would gradually reduce the suffering of children affected by wars. Instead, the situation has become truly catastrophic. And Russia and its armed forces are among the main drivers of this global disaster. The SG report documents Russia's new sad record of crimes against Ukrainian children across the entire spectrum of grave violations. The figures we see are not just alarming, they are truly hair-raising. The numbers of Russia's crimes against Ukrainian children are so shocking that they send a chill down the spine. What is even worse, Russia demonstrates zero intention of ending these crimes. The report marks the fourth consecutive year in which the Russian Armed Forces have been blacklisted as systematic violators of children's rights. They share this special distinction of barbarism with such gangs of murderers as al-Qaeda, Hamas, Daesh, or the Taliban, among the most brutal perpetrators of atrocities against children in the history of humankind. What a shame. What a disgrace. Moreover, Russia appears to take pride in being blacklisted in this ignominious company. It shows no readiness to elaborate an action plan for delisting, nor has it engaged with the United Nations in genuinely seeking to change this inglorious behavior. Instead, Russia's representative continues to shamelessly deny all the verified facts while accusing the SG and his Special Representative of bias. Russia's actions not only damage the last remnants of its standing in the international community, they discredit the Council itself, undermining its credibility. Madam President, Russia's Double blacklisting as a party that commits grave violations affecting children in armed conflict and sexual violence must lead to consequences. In this regard, let me recall the Secretary-General's 2015 report on the future of UN peace operations and its appeal that, and I quote, "State parties repeatedly listed in my annual reports on children and armed conflict will henceforth not be accepted for participation in UN peace operations. Failure to cease systematic violations and implement action plan expeditiously will result in their suspension from peace operations, end quote. Let me also recall that the Security Council has passed Resolutions 2427 and 2467, subsequently endorsing this SG determination, providing a clear legal basis for action. So what we have are 4 consecutive listings of Russia without a single meaningful corrective step. Isn't this sufficient to trigger accountability? Madam President, Ukraine highly values its close cooperation with the SG Special Representative for Children on Armed Conflict, Vanessa Fraser. We firmly reject Russia's cynical attacks on her person and her crucial work. We praise the personal engagement of Under-Secretary Fraser on issues of Russia's war crimes against Ukrainian children and her recent visit to Kyiv. We hope that she will play a decisive role in implementing the General Assembly Resolution on the return of Ukrainian children. More than 20,000 Ukrainian kids have been identified as deported or forcibly transferred by the Russian Federation. Only 2,311 have so far been returned—just 11%. At the same time, approximately 1.6 million Ukrainian children have become hostage of Russia's brutal occupation. Their destiny is to endure a living hell on earth. These children are exposed to systematic indoctrination, reeducation, militarization, and changes to their legal status. But the worst crime that Russia is committing is the erosion of their identity. This is not just a crime against humanity, it is a crime with a genocidal nature. Madam President, to conclude, I call upon the members of this Council not just to condemn Russia's atrocities against Ukrainian children. It is time to show Russia a red card and ostracize it as a pariah state that does not deserve to sit at this table. I thank you.

I thank the delegation of Ukraine for that statement. I now give the floor To Portugal, you have the floor.

Senhora Presidente, every time the United Nations, the Council, or a member state fail to protect a child, we are also failing a mother, a family, a community, and above all, we're failing our humanity. Portugal thanks Colombia for convening this annual CAC debate focused on the crucial subject of education in conflict. Portugal also praises Special Representative Fraser for her strong commitment in documenting accurately violations wherever they occur. On this day where we celebrate women in diplomacy, it is a particular pleasure to see a woman presiding and a woman briefing this Council. We also thank the other briefers for their powerful yet alarming presentations. The Secretary-General's report is a warning siren. Children are being killed and maimed by explosive weapons in populated areas. They are being recruited, abducted, raped, detained, denied humanitarian assistance and pushed out of schools that should protect them. These are not inevitable consequences of war. They are grave violations of international law that must have consequences. International humanitarian law, human rights law and the Convention on the Rights of the The child are clear: children are entitled to special protection; schools and hospitals are protected spaces. When schools are attacked, destroyed, or used for military purposes, children lose much more than education. They lose safety, routine, psychosocial stability, and hope for a better future. Portugal reaffirms its strong support for the Safe Schools Declaration and for the Vancouver Principles, but declarations must become practice. This means national legislation and policies restricting the military use of schools. It means child protection standards in military doctrine, training, and operations. It means effective monitoring and reporting. And it means accountability for those who harm children, as well as for those who attack schools and hospitals or deny humanitarian assistance. Girls require particular attention. When they are forced out of school, risks multiply. Child marriage, trafficking, sexual violence, exploitation, and lifelong exclusion. Keeping girls safely in school is therefore both a protection measure and an empowerment strategy. Portugal has acted on this conviction. In 2021, we welcomed more than 270 students, staff, and family members from the Afghanistan National Institute of Music, including many girls from the Zohra All-Female Orchestra. They found in Portugal a place to to continue learning, creating, and rebuilding their lives. This built on former President Sampaio's Global Platform for Syrian Students, which created academic pathways for students fleeing conflict, including from Syria, Ukraine, and Afghanistan. Madam President, child protection must also be built into peace from the start. Ceasefire agreements, humanitarian arrangements, peace negotiations, and post-conflict recovery frameworks must include concrete provisions on children. They must prohibit attacks on schools and hospitals. They must guarantee safe access to education. They must provide for the release, handover, and reintegration of children associated with armed forces or armed groups. And they must ensure support for survivors. We must also address new risks. Digital platforms can be used to recruit, radicalize, misinform, and exploit children. New technologies of warfare, including drones and AI-supported targeting, can magnify harm when safeguards, human oversight and accountability are weak. Madam President, protecting children is not a secondary humanitarian concern. It is central to international peace and security. Every child denied education, every school destroyed, every violation left unpunished weakens the foundations of peace. As an incoming member of this Chamber, Portugal will work to keep child protection at the centre of the Council's agenda. Through prevention, accountability, safe education, and full respect for international law. Let's prove it matters. Thank you.

Doylar vesemir. I thank the delegate of Portugal for that statement. I now give the floor to the Syrian Arab Republic.

Madam President, if we turn back in time 14 years, we as Syrians recall clearly that childhood was the first victim of the former regime. A number of children wrote slogans on the wall of a school calling for the overthrow of the regime. This led to their arrest and torture and forced disappearance by the criminal security services. These heroic children ignited the spark of the revolution and became the symbol of that revolution. The memory of their heroism and that of the great Syrian people will remain eternal in history. Following liberation of Syria, the images of children who were freed from Saydnaya Prison, which is considered one of the worst prisons in the world, These images revived memories of the suffering and trauma that Syrian children endured due to the crimes of the former regime. Here in this picture is one of the children who was released from prison on that day Damascus was liberated. Dear colleagues, rising figures are usually associated with unfortunate incidents. However, in New Syria and within the framework of the government planned. The rising numbers are those of children returning to education, not leaving education. It is the rising number of schools being built, not bombed, and the number of children returning to their homeland, not fleeing it or having their small bodies cast into the waves of the sea. Madam President, since liberation, uh, Syria, and through the constitutional declaration issued in March of last year, We have reaffirmed that all rights stipulated in the international human rights treaties, conventions, and agreements that Syria has ratified are considered an integral part of the constitutional declaration. Among these is the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Colleagues, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Fraser, visited Syria In February, the visit was fruitful and successful as she met with a number of Syrian— senior Syrian officials, including representatives of the Ministries of Justice, Emergency and Disaster Management, Ministry of Defense, Interior, Social Affairs, and Labor. She witnessed the measures being taken by the government to protect children and prevent any violations against them. We are constructively engaged with her office in order to develop a national action plan to prevent any violations against children in Syria. The Syrian government has also decided a few days ago, and reaffirming its firm position in this matter, the government decided to join the Prove It Matters initiative launched by the Special Representative. We stand ready to continue working with her to ensure the full implementation of the Convention. Madam President, the lives of children in Syria remain threatened by landmines and explosive remnants of war. We welcome any international efforts aimed at extending assistance to the Syrian government in removing this danger and protecting civilians. We cannot address the issue of children in Syria without referring to the camps of hell, of suffering, Al-Hol and Ar-Ruj,, which hosts thousands of children and women of various nationalities who have been deprived of healthcare and education for more than 7 years. From here, the Syrian Arab Republic calls on all concerned states to assume their responsibilities toward their nationals there and to cooperate urgently to find lasting solutions for their situation, including expediting their repatriation. In conclusion, Madam President, In Syria, there is an entire generation of children who have known nothing but war, who have grown accustomed to scenes of destruction and the sounds of barrel bombs, who have never experienced the meaning of stability or calm. This generation is the generation of the Syrian revolution, which we cherish and take pride in. It is the generation that will rebuild a free Syria, a safe Syria, a prosperous Syria. Beres, Syria. Thank you.

I thank the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic for that statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Australia. You have the floor.

Thank you, President, and I speak for CANZ, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. We are deeply concerned by the rising levels of violence against children in situations of armed conflict. And this year marks 3 decades since the establishment of this mandate. And yet we mark this anniversary with the news that violations against children in armed conflict reached unprecedented levels in 2025. The Secretary-General's report documents over 38,000 verified grave violations against children across 23 contexts, the highest number since the establishment of the mandate. We condemn any targeting of children, and it goes without saying that no child should be the subject of a target. We are deeply concerned by ongoing violations against children in Ukraine as a result of Russia's unprovoked and unjustified invasion, including strikes on schools and hospitals, and denial of aid. CANZ is appalled by the situation affecting children in Gaza, as outlined in this report, and we call for the full implementation of ceasefire agreements, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access, and compliance with international humanitarian law, including for the protection of children. We continue to call on all parties in Myanmar to prioritize child protection, including ending forced conscription, abduction, and sexual violence. We also condemn the regime's indiscriminate strikes, including on schools. Today, we make 3 points. First, we strongly condemn unlawful attacks against schools and hospitals, as well as their military use. Such attacks violate international humanitarian law and further weaken already fragile systems. Attacks on hospitals deny children access to urgent and life-saving care. As we mark the 10-year anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 2286, the rules and tools to protect medical facilities and workers are clear. What we need is the political will to implement them. Similarly, attacks on schools endanger children's lives, causing lasting physical,— and emotional trauma, and disrupt education, undermining long-term recovery and stability. Keeping children in the classroom is critical to breaking cycles of conflict. We are equally appalled by the use of schools for military purposes, which turns places of learning into targets. And we urge all parties to cease this practice and fully implement the Safe Schools Declaration. Second, we are deeply concerned at increasing restrictions on humanitarian access which disproportionately affects children and young people. We call on all parties to ensure rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access in line with international humanitarian law. We also reaffirm the importance of protecting humanitarian personnel. We call on member states to endorse and implement the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, recognizing that protecting frontline workers is essential to protecting children. Third, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand reaffirm our commitment to safeguard children's rights and strengthen protection frameworks. We encourage all member states to endorse and implement key tools including the Declaration on Humanitarian Personnel, the Safe Schools Declaration, the Paris Principles and Commitments, the Vancouver Principles, and the Declaration on Explosive Weapons in populated areas. President, parties to armed conflict must fully comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, human rights law, and refugee law. We urge the Security Council and all member states to use all available tools to address violations and pursue accountability for perpetrators. Children in conflict situations are amongst the most vulnerable Their protection is not optional. It's a test of this Council's credibility and resolve.

I thank you. I thank the delegation of Australia for that statement. I now give the floor to the delegate of Egypt. You have the floor.

Sayyeda Rais. Madam President, We would like to thank the Republic of Colombia for convening this open debate, this important open debate on children and armed conflict, and for choosing a topic that is highly important, namely to reaffirm the international protection for children in armed conflicts and strengthening the protection of children, preventing grave violations against Children. This open debate comes at a time of an unprecedented rise in the number of children affected by armed conflicts and what the world is witnessing in terms of the severe deterioration of humanitarian security conditions in many conflict areas. Children, as the most vulnerable group, remain the most affected as victims as a result of of wars and armed conflicts, whether through their killing, maiming, recruitment, or exploitation, or denial of humanitarian assistance, or by forcing them to be displaced, or denial of education opportunities. In this regard, we thank Ms. Vanessa Fraser for her valuable briefing. In this area. Madam President, Egypt reaffirms that the protection of children enduring on conflicts is a legal and moral obligation that is the responsibility of all parties to the conflict in line with the international humanitarian law and the international human rights law, including the Geneva Conventions and its Additional Protocols, as well as the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Security Council resolutions. Egypt stresses the need to protect and safeguard education and schools and educational facilities, and reject their use for military purposes or their targeting by any means because of the devastating repercussions that has on the future of children and their right to education and development. In this context, Egypt believes that education represents one of the most important prevention tools against conflict and against extremism. The continuation of education during conflicts and during crisis is an investment in building peace and enhancing stability and achieving sustainable development. Madam President, Addressing the situation of children in armed conflicts requires a comprehensive approach that focuses on prevention and addressing the root causes of conflicts. It requires also strengthening national efforts and capacities and support institutions that focus on protecting children, providing them with the necessary resources for rehabilitation, psychosocial support, and reintegration. We cannot address the question of protecting children in armed conflicts without stopping before the human tragedies that are exacerbating in Gaza Strip and in Sudan. In Gaza, children are subject to grave violations, unprecedented violations, including killing, injury, displacement, forced displacement, and deprivation of education, healthcare, in addition to the destruction of schools and main basic service institutions. In Sudan, the continuation of the conflict led to the suffering of millions of children who suffer the risks of displacement, hunger, recruitment, violence, and denial of the right to education. In conclusion, Madam President, Egypt stresses that the protection of children and education in times of conflict are not legal obligations only, but collective responsibility that requires strengthening the respect of international law and ensuring accountability for violations and collective action to provide an environment conducive for all children to develop, to grow, to learn, and live in dignity and safety. Thank you, Madam President.

I thank the delegation of Egypt for that statement. I now give the floor to Qatar. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. We thank you for convening this important open debate, and we express also our thanks to Miss Vanessa Fraser, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflicts, for her comprehensive briefing commendable efforts. We also thank Ms. Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF, and the briefers for their valuable contributions. Madam President, the State of Qatar expresses its deep concern regarding the findings of the Secretary-General's report on children and armed conflicts, indicating that violations of children's rights have reached unprecedented levels, including the killing and maiming of children, attacks on schools and hospitals, and the denial of humanitarian assistance. We condemn strongly the grave violations committed against children in occupied Palestinian territories by the Israeli occupation, including the widespread use of explosive weapons in populated areas and the ongoing grave violations in the Gaza Strip. We also condemn the high number of children killed and maimed at attacks on schools and hospitals, all of which were documented in the Secretary-General's report. We also express grave concern over the alarming rise in attacks carried out by Israeli settlers, which have resulted in grave violations against Palestinian children, as indicated by the report. As we mark this year the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Mandate on Children and Armed Conflict, the State of Qatar values the pivotal role undertaken by the Office of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict in protecting children in conflict zones. Qatar reaffirms its commitment to continue supporting this mandate and takes pride in its fruitful strategic partnership with the Office of the Special Representative. In line with this commitment, Doha hosts the Analysis and Outreach Hub of the Office of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict. This hub, this center, continues to play a vital role in advancing efforts to protect children in conflict areas. The promotion and protection of children's right to education, especially in those countries affected by conflict, is a top priority for Qatar. This commitment is clearly reflected in the leading role of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of the Education Above All Foundation. Her Excellency is considered among the most influential and prominent global figures in supporting and protecting quality education worldwide. The initiatives of the foundation, the Education Above All Foundation, have made a substantial difference in the lives of millions of children around the world. We look forward to celebrating, celebrating, sorry, the 7th anniversary of the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, which was established based on a resolution introduced by the State of Qatar to the United General Assembly. Doha will host on the 9th of September a major event entitled 'Can Education Survive Attack? The Resilience of Human Communities,' which will serve key platform for strengthening and mobilizing international efforts to protect education from attack. In conclusion, we reaffirm the commitment of our state to support all efforts aimed at ensuring the protection of children in armed conflict. Thank you, Madam President.

I thank the delegate of Qatar for that statement. I now give the floor to Türkiye. You have the floor.

Madam President, thank you for convening this important annual debate. We also thank the briefers for their valuable inputs. Regrettably, the situation of children continues to be adversely and disproportionately affected by the prevailing security, protection, and humanitarian challenges caused by armed conflicts around the world. Latest report of the Secretary-General presents a deeply alarming picture. In 2025, the UN verified more than 38,000 grave violations against children. Thousands of children have been killed, maimed, recruited, abducted, deprived of humanitarian assistance, or denied access to education and healthcare. These figures remind us that children continue to pay the highest price for conflict they neither start nor sustain. Madam President, the humanitarian situation in Palestine remains catastrophic. The report once again recorded the highest number of verified grave violations against children. Thousands of Palestinian children have been killed or maimed. Schools, hospitals, and civilian infrastructure have been destroyed. Humanitarian access continues to face severe restrictions. Children in Gaza bear the heaviest burden of this tragedy. We cannot turn a blind eye to this reality. The international community must assume its responsibility to ensure an immediate end to the suffering of children, guarantee full, rapid safe and unhindered humanitarian access and provide the psychological and social support necessary for their recovery. UNRWA remains indispensable in delivering humanitarian assistance and protection to Palestinian children. Turkey is fully committed to advocate the humanitarian efforts in the occupied Palestinian territories and will uphold its UNRWA's unwavering support for UNRWA. Madam President, throughout the Syrian conflict, children faced grave violations such as killing and maiming by the indiscriminate attacks of the former regime and terrorist organizations. Following the fall of the regime, the Syrian people have a historic opportunity to achieve their longstanding aspirations of living in dignity and prosperity while reclaiming their long-denied basic rights. We are pleased to see that the Syrian government is committed to ensure basic human rights, including for children and women, on the basis of equal citizenship guaranteed by the Constitution. The protection of children's rights ultimately depends on the establishment of lasting peace, security, territorial integrity and unity in Syria. Supporting Syrian-led efforts in this regard remains a shared responsibility of the international community. In this context, we remain concerned by the continued exploitation of the— of children by terrorist organizations, including PKK and its offshoots. These groups have targeted children through abduction, force recruitment, and ideological indoctrination both in Syria and Iraq. Our fight against the PKK will continue until we are able to confirm that it has fully dissolved and disarmed itself. Taking this opportunity, I would like to register the position of my country with regards to the ungrounded allegations in the report on my country's counterterrorism operations in Syria. Turkey is obliged and entitled to take appropriate measures against direct and imminent terrorist threat posed to its national security from Syria and Iraq in line with its inherent right of self-defense as outlined in Article 51 of the UN Charter and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. These operations are conducted in full compliance with international law and international humanitarian law, and with utmost attention and care to avoid any harm to civilians, including children and civilian infrastructure. In conclusion, Madam President, I would like to emphasize once again that Türkiye attaches utmost importance to the agenda of the UN which addresses the situation of children in armed conflict and is ready to support all efforts for their protection. Thank you.

I thank the delegation of Türkiye for that statement. I now give the floor to Saudi Arabia. You have the floor.

In the name of God, the gracious, the merciful, Madam President, at the outset, I'd like to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Republic of Colombia, and we thank you for holding this important meeting. We value your distinguished efforts during your presidency of the Council for the month. We'd also like to express our appreciation to the briefers for their important contributions. We reiterate our support for the Secretary-General and his Special Representative and the United Nations and its agencies, and we support their efforts to protect children in armed conflict. Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the protection of children in armed conflict is of utmost importance as it is the foundation for generations that are aware and well-adjusted and that are able to participate in building a more prosperous and stable future. And over two decades have passed since Security Council Resolution 1612 was passed, which established a framework to monitor any violations against children in the— in armed conflicts and report them. And in light of this, the international community must deal with children in conflict with extreme care so as to achieve the following two objectives. First, to create a new reality for those children so that the cycle of violence can be broken and the negative impacts of such violence can be remedied. And the second objective is to prevent the creation of an environment that incubates extremism and violence. The protection of children in armed conflicts is a shared responsibility upon all parties and requires coordinated efforts to deal with the repercussions and their causes. My country, Saudi Arabia, has joined many international frameworks that support joint action, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the matter of children in armed conflict. Madam President, my country confirms its firm commitment to the principles of international humanitarian law and international human rights law stemming from its legal obligations and humanitarian and moral responsibility. We accord special attention to the respect for and protection of children's rights in areas of conflict, in affirmation of the values of Islam and the noble principles that it calls for. The Kingdom also supports the tenets of the Geneva Conventions and stresses the need for all conflicting parties to abide by these conventions. We also call for enhancing mechanisms for the implementation of international material law And we condemn all violations against children and civilians in general. We also stress the need to hold accountable the perpetrators of such violations and to guarantee unimpeded humanitarian access to those affected by conflict. Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the protection of children is not simply a legal obligation that is imposed by humanitarian— international humanitarian law, rather. It is primarily a collective humanitarian and moral responsibility that requires us all to work diligently and effectively. Here, my country has made efforts to support the protection of civilians, especially children, throughout the world, where and through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, we have carried out humanitarian and relief projects in over 90— 9-0— countries to offer aid to those harmed by conflicts and disasters with no discrimination. International humanitarian law stipulates the humane treatment of civilians under the control of an enemy party with no discrimination, and the need to protect them from all forms of violence and humiliation, including torture and killing. And this protection extends to workers and— humanitarian workers and healthcare teams, as well as relief organizations. International law accords special importance to the most vulnerable, such as women, children, the elderly, the indigent, IDPs. And the law strictly forbids the forced displacement in all its forms, such as through violence or intimidation or deprivation of basic necessities. In this framework, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stresses that what is happening in Gaza is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and common human values. We call for urgent international action to put an end to this tragedy immediately and to offer protection to children and to hold the perpetrators of these grave violations accountable. In closing, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stresses that the protection of civilians in areas of armed conflict is a legal obligation that cannot be evaded. It is a moral responsibility that cannot be ignored. The Kingdom stands by all sincere UN efforts that seek to protect children and to achieve security and stability for peoples who have been harmed by conflict. We also stress the need to enhance international cooperation to prevent and address the suffering of children in relation to armed conflicts wherever they are. I thank you, Madam President.

I thank the representative of Saudi Arabia for that statement. I now give the floor to the delegation of the Permanent Observer of the Observer State of Palestine. You have the floor.

Madam President, thank you for convening this important and timely debate on children in armed conflict, and we thank the Secretary-General for his annual report and relentless efforts and we also thank SRSG, Ms. Vanessa Fraser, and the Executive Director of UNICEF, Ms. Catherine Russell, for their briefing and their efforts. Madam President, the Secretary-General's report on children in armed conflict reflects a horrific reality, recording the highest level of violence against children in armed conflict since the UN started monitoring the situation of children in 1996. It is painful that Palestine continues to be among the countries where the highest number of violations against children is verified. It is only indicative of how persistent Israel is in inflicting suffering on Palestinian families and Palestinian communities. It is very painful that Palestinian children continue to be targeted and endure immense suffering amid daily Israeli violations, including killing and maiming, detention, forcible displacement, attacks on schools and hospitals, and deprivation of basic humanitarian and medical aid. Tens of thousands of Palestinian children have been killed and injured. Almost a million have been displaced or separated from their families. Thousands remain missing. Many have lost access to education, healthcare, clean water, and other basic necessities that every child needs to survive and to thrive. Beyond the immediate physical dangers, the psychosocial and psychological impact of Israel's war and illegal occupation is profound. Growing up amid fear, loss, displacement has left lasting scars and trauma that affect successive Palestinian generations. Madam President, at least 20,000 Palestinian children have been killed. Some in indiscriminate bombardments wiping out entire families. Some with a bullet lodged in their heads or their chest in an undeniable shoot-to-kill policy. 44,000 were injured. Palestinian children became the largest cohort of orphans and amputees that we've seen in the last decades. No one was held accountable. No one apologized for this suffering to this day. They were starved and displaced and continue to live in inhumane conditions with no relief in sight. The killing continues, alpite, at a different scale, but a mother losing a child and a child losing a mother suffer the same, regardless how many others were killed at the same time. I will ask again: Can you imagine being a parent who saw your child survive genocide, only to see them killed after the ceasefire was announced? Palestinian families continue to fight to get water and food. They live in tents where they struggle with the atrocious heat and the terrible cold, with the rain and the wind, with the rodents eating away at them and spreading diseases, with the sewage and the garbage amidst rubble everywhere, with no end to their suffering in sight. In the West Bank, hundreds of children have been killed by Israeli occupation forces and settlers, and thousands were displaced, and countless communities live in constant fear. Add to that the hell of Israeli prisons, where thousands of children have experienced torment and trauma, torture and abuse. But Israel, instead of confronting this reality it created, prefers to distract attention by attacking those reporting on it. It is directing its outrage at those documenting and denouncing the crimes, rather than at those committing them. Because these crimes are not the actions of individuals. They are a result of a state policy to dehumanize Palestinians. —including children—to justify their killing and the denial of their rights. Because it considers an entire nation as a demographic threat whose very existence can be denied and destroyed. It continues to plan the removal of this people to annex its land, as we speak, despite the resolutions of this Council and the rules of international law that condemn and reject such a prospect. I am stunned Stunned how Israel can deny these crimes when its soldiers confirm them, when its leaders call for their perpetration, when videos of them were filmed both by the victims and even the perpetrators. Israel continues to be listed for its crimes against children, but it was listed for the first time for sexual violence. And again, it expressed outrage. But how, when Israeli soldiers confessed to using rape as a method of war? How, when the Israeli military attorney general leaked the video of a gang sexual assault of a Palestinian prisoner? She was condemned while charges were dropped against the perpetrators. How, when Prime Minister Netanyahu tweeted once charges were dropped against those rapists, and I quote— it's on Twitter, you can go check the tweet— The blood libel known as the Sidi Temman affair against the fighters of Force 100, which has damaged Israel's reputation in the world in an unprecedented manner, has reached its end. It is unacceptable— check what is unacceptable— that it took so much time to close the case that was handled in a criminal manner. The case in a criminal manner, not the rape. Against IDF fighters who confront the worst of our enemies. The State of Israel must pursue its enemies, not its heroic fighters. Blood libel, damaged reputation, heroic fighters— talking about the attempt to condemn rapists. And then those denouncing the crimes are accused of antisemitism. How dare Israeli representatives drag millions of Jews, including those denouncing these crimes, to shield perpetrators? How dare they invoke the memory of 6 million victims of the Holocaust to defend atrocities? Isn't the lesson of the Holocaust that nothing, nothing justifies the commission of atrocities? Isn't the lesson of the Holocaust that you cannot use dehumanization that sets the stage for such atrocities. They explain that if the actions are committed by Palestinians, they are barbaric, but if they are committed by Israeli soldiers or settlers, they are indispensable or defendable. That if the victims are Israelis, they are atrocities that justify imposing hell on millions of Palestinians. But if the victims are Palestinians, no Israeli can be held accountable. We cannot live in such a world. Nothing justifies atrocities by anyone under any circumstances, regardless of the identity of the perpetrators and the identity of the victims. Nothing justifies attacks against civilians, whether Palestinian or Israeli. Nothing justifies attacking civilians. Nothing justifies atrocities against children. It seems so basic to say it, and yet nobody is willing to be— to hold accountable those who have committed these crimes, and they are trying to be the ones accusing those denouncing them instead of responding to the accusations and the evidence that is overwhelming. Therefore, we welcome the decision to keep Israeli forces —on the list of shame. I don't see how any other option would have been possible in the current circumstances. And we believe Israeli settlers should be listed too, noting the clear warning by the Secretary-General to the Israeli settlers that if they continue to commit such crimes against Palestinian children, they shall be listed next year. The listing is a result of verified violations committed in total impunity.— and enabled by the Israeli political leadership. Israel could have chosen to put an end to these crimes, to hold accountable those who are responsible, or it could decide what it is doing now, which is attacking those who are reporting on them. The listing is a just application of a universal criteria set forth by the Security Council. It wasn't done for Palestine. It was done in all circumstances. But it is not acceptable to say that Palestine could be excluded. From this criteria or that Israel somehow would be above the rule of international law. It is the first step towards accountability, deterrence, and protection, and our children deserve protection. Palestinian children and Palestinian civilians cannot be denied the application of the law. Till now, they have been denied the protection of the law. The Security Council must ensure the universal application of its resolutions and respect of obligations by all parties with meaningful efforts to prevent further harm, suffering and impunity. Madam President, the suffering of Palestinian children demands urgent attention and action. The international community must work to ensure respect for the ceasefire in Gaza, ensure safety and protection of the Palestinian population, facilitate unhindered humanitarian assistance at scale, support access to education and healthcare, end attacks by Israeli soldiers and settlers, and jailers against Palestinian children and pursue just and lasting peace that ends Israel's illegal occupation of our land and achieves the independence of our state. Our people deserve freedom. Palestinian children should not have to spend their life mourning loved ones or wondering whether they will have a safe place to sleep, learn, and play, fearing that every day is their last. That every hug, every goodnight kiss is a goodbye to their loved ones, that they are targets everywhere and safe nowhere. Every child, every child deserves the chance to live free from fear, to learn, to dream, and to build a future. Palestinian children, like your children, like all children, deserve nothing less. Thank you, Madam President.

I thank the delegation of the observer state of Palestine for that statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Israel. You have the floor.

Madam President, Last week, Miss Vanessa Fraser tried to silence Israel. Today she comes before this council to lecture Israel. That will not work. Israel will not be silenced. Not by Miss Fraser, not by the Secretary-General, not by any UN official who thinks they can publish accusations against Israel and then cut off our response. Last week, in a UN conference room, Ms. Fraser shouted over me. She broke protocol. She tried to censor Israel as I exposed a report that made baseless accusations against us. She called my remarks "personal attacks." They were not personal. They were professional. But since Ms. Fraser raised what is personal, let me be clear: for Israel, this is personal. It is personal when UN officials attack Israel. It is personal when they spread antisemitic hate. It is personal when they try to silence us when calling it out. Ms. Fraser wants to talk about personal attacks? I want to talk about her record. Let's take a look. This is Exhibit A from her social media. An antisemite posted this image in reply to Ms. Fraser, and instead of condemning it, she engaged with it. Last Saturday, this image Is a swastika replacing the Star of David on Israel's flag? That is classic antisemitism. Textbook antisemitism. Ms. Fraser's response, she said, and I quote, that's her reply, "I look forward to a constructive engagement. Together we can eliminate this scourge and do justice to all victims and survivors." Constructive engagement with an anti-Semite? Look at this tweet. You know, if that would happen to you, what would you do? You would condemn it, delete it, apologize. She didn't do that. She blamed us. We have the evidence. On social media, everything stays there, even if you delete it. And now she comes before the Council with another report against us. Look at this, Exhibit B. She recently reported the claim that Israel dropped explosives disguised as children's toys in Lebanon. There was no evidence. None. Just a blood libel dressed up as a concern for children in Lebanon. You know who made the claim? Maybe the representative from the UK is familiar with her. Her name is Sarah Wilkinson. A Holocaust denier. She was arrested in the UK by UK counter-terrorism police. This is who Ms. Raeder aligns herself with. And look at this exhibit, see? Earlier this year, she shared an image of rows of body bags to support allegations about attacks on a school in Iran. The image had nothing to do with those allegations, but she shared it anyway. And when the truth came out that it's an old picture, did she correct the record? No, she deleted the post. Because those body bags were not schoolchildren, they were innocent Iranian protesters massacred by the Iranian regime. But this is bigger than Ms. Fraser because she is not the exception. She is proof, proof of the moral failure that has taken hold of the UN, where Israel is accused before it is even heard, condemned before it is answered. And when Israel is finally given the floor, you want quick answers. So let me address this report. Because before this council accepts the findings of this report, it should understand something important. The problem is not only bias, and I know Ms. Fraser's opinions when she sat with us at the PR. I know what she thinks about the conflict. I'm aware of that. It's not only the bias she brought to the position. The problem is also the process. Year after year, the CAC mechanism inflates the number of violations attributed to Israel while underreporting, minimizing, or failing to attribute violations committed by Palestinian terrorist groups. The numbers look objective. The conclusion looks scientific. But the methodology is not applied equally. And when the process is distorted, the findings are distorted too. So let me give you a few examples. First, the report accuses Israeli security forces of using Palestinian children as human shields. That's a horrible allegation. That allegation is not only false, it turns reality on its head. It is Hamas that builds tunnels beneath homes. It is Hamas that fires from civilian areas. It is Hamas that recruits children as child soldiers. And you know how many of the terrorists that were killed were children? Have you seen it in the report? The numbers? Are they recruiting them, threatening them, their families? That is not neutrality. That is distortion. Another example: the report repeatedly accuses Israel of attacking schools and hospitals. But where is the serious examination of Hamas's military use of those same schools and hospitals? Yes. You know Shifa Hospital? You know what was beneath that hospital in Gaza? How many tunnels were there? How many hostages were kept there? Where are the command centers of Hamas? The report focuses on Israeli attacks while largely ignoring the military use of civilian infrastructure that turned schools, hospitals, and residential areas into terrorist bases. And there is another problem. The CAC mechanism repeatedly expands and stretches its own categories when Israel is involved. Hundreds of attacks on schools and hospitals are attributed to Israel, yet the standards used to reach those numbers are rarely subjected to the scrutiny applied elsewhere. Also, the report accuses Israeli security forces— and that's something which is very serious— of abducting, abducting a Palestinian child. One alleged incident, no details provided, no facts, no evidence, no information that would allow anyone in this room to independently assess the allegation. We are simply told to accept it. That is not accountability. That is not transparency. And there is a bitter irony here because you know that we saw the pictures of Israeli kids being abducted from their homes into Gaza. We saw what happened on October 7th. For Israel, the crime of abduction is not theoretical, and this report should use that word with greater care. Madam President, Israel is not asking this Council to ignore allegations. Israel is asking this Council to test them. Test the evidence, the sources, the claims. The same way Israel is tested every single day because child protection requires facts. It requires evidence. It requires standards applied equally. Not one standard for democracies and another for terrorist organizations. The CAC mandate was created to protect children, not to rehash Hamas talking points. Ms. Fraser told us on X that she looks forward to "constructive engagement." We have seen what that means for her. Constructive engagement with antisemites. Constructive engagement with anti-Israel activists. Constructive engagement with the same small circle of special rapporteurs, so-called experts and UN officials who are united by one obsession: attacking Israel. You know, they cite one another, they validate one another, they amplify one another, and then they call it independence. So let us call this what it is: not constructive engagement, selective engagement. Ms. Fraser tried to silence Israel on Friday. It did not work then, and it will not work today. Israel will not be silenced.

Thank you.

I wish to remind all speakers, all those participating in today's meeting, that they must respect the decorum warranted by the Security Council chamber and the issue that is under consideration today. I wish to thank the delegation of Israel for that statement, and I now give the floor Azerbaijan, you have the floor.

Madam President, we thank Colombia for convening this open debate under the agenda item "Children and Armed Conflict," a matter that demands the sustained attention of the international community, particularly as violence against children continues unabated. The year 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of General Assembly Resolution 51/77 of 12 December 1996, which established the Children in Armed Conflict mandate and was subsequently reinforced through the Security Council's normative framework. In the face of escalating violence against children in situations of armed conflict, strict adherence to international humanitarian law and international human rights obligations is imperative. Madam President, the citizens of Azerbaijan, including children, were subjected to numerous war crimes, crimes against humanity, acts of genocide, and other grave breaches of international humanitarian law during the war in the early 1990s and throughout the ensuing period of occupation. The conflict claimed tens of thousands of lives and forced more than 1 million people to become internally displaced persons and refugees. In addition, more than 4,000 persons went missing in connection with the conflict, including 71 children. Furthermore, 872 persons, including 29 children, were taken hostage, and their whereabouts remain unknown. Since the end of the conflict, 32 mass graves have been discovered,, and the remains of 877 individuals have been recovered. These graves further provide evidence of the willful killing of civilians and other protected persons under international humanitarian law. Through forensic genetic identification, the remains of 220 persons have been returned to their families and laid to rest, including 9 women and 2 children. The fate and whereabouts of the majority of missing persons, however, remain unresolved. Azerbaijan has taken decisive steps to investigate and persecute atrocity crimes, including those related to missing persons and children, in full accordance with its legislation and international obligations. Madam President, the cessation of active hostilities does not necessarily eliminate threats to or alleviate the suffering of children in post-conflict settings. The Secretary-General's report highlights that children continue to be killed or maimed by landmines and explosive remnants of war in appallingly high numbers. Similar concerns were raised by the Special Representative in her report submitted to the 61st session of the Human Rights Council. This tragic reality constitutes yet another serious post-conflict humanitarian challenge for my country. After the end of the conflict in 2020, 427 people have become mine victims, including 73 fatalities and 354 serious injuries, among them children and young persons. Notwithstanding these challenges, Azerbaijan has launched an unprecedented program of rehabilitation and reconstruction, allocating approximately $15 billion USD to rebuild cities, towns, and villages devastated during the conflict. As a result of measures implemented under the Great Return program, more than 85,000 people have already returned to their homes, including approximately 4,000 peoples currently studying in 18 newly constructed schools. In conclusion, we reaffirm our firm commitment to maintaining an environment conducive to the protection and development of children, including by shielding them from the consequences of armed conflict. We remain determined to ensure that the best interests of the child are a primary consideration in all actions concerning children. Thank you.

I thank the delegate of Azerbaijan for that statement. I now give the floor to the delegate of Spain. You have the floor.

Madam President, for yet another year, the war against children has intensified. The data in the Secretary-General's report reflect an unconscionable reality. 2025 saw the greatest number of violations since the establishment of the SRSG mandate for children in armed conflict. That was 30 years ago. The Special Representative, Vanessa Fraser, is doing work that Spain absolutely supports. More than 38,000 grave violations have been verified. That constitutes a significant increase on the previous year. For example, there was a a 34% increase in the number of children killed in conflict. These figures are not merely statistics; they represent childhoods cut short in the occupied Palestinian territory. There, we saw the greatest number of violations verified in 2025, and their deaths continue after the ceasefire in Gaza. 260 children have been killed in UNICEF— according to UNICEF— in Ukraine, DRC, Nigeria, Somalia, Haiti, Myanmar, Sudan, and Afghanistan. Afghanistan. These are just some conflict arenas where there are violations. Tens of thousands of children have been the victims of killings, maiming, denial of humanitarian access, recruitment, sexual violence, abductions. And children have suffered the consequences of attacks on critical infrastructure such as schools and hospitals. These figures are not merely statistics, they represent childhoods cut short. Spain fervently condemns all violations. We recall that these violations may constitute war crimes. And in view of the almost total impunity, as that was noted by the report, we also fervently reiterate the urgent need to guarantee accountability for these violations. The respect for IHL and due protection of children in conflict is non-negotiable. Madam President, we wish to draw attention to the very concerning trends outlined in the report. These include the growing impact of new technologies and autonomous weapons We also saw the use of explosive weapons in populated areas that have affected children to the tune of 10% more than in 2024. These weapons have killed and maimed thousands. As such, we point to the relevance and applicability of the Uwipa Declaration. We also underscore the legal force of the Protocol on Explosive Remnants of War and the Ottawa Convention. We are also concerned by the growing restrictions on humanitarian access, the destruction of essential services, attacks against medical and healthcare facilities, and the increase in sexual violence against girls and boys. That is a heinous scourge. The protection of children in conflict is a priority of my country, Spain's foreign policy. It is reflected in our humanitarian diplomacy strategy for 2023-2026. That is a strategy we have put into practice in the following ways: we are a state party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child; we signed the Paris Principles and Guidelines on Children Associated with armed forces or armed groups, and we signed the Vancouver Principles on Peacekeeping and the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers. We call those states that have not yet adhered to these instruments to do so without delay. We are also a champion country of the Safe Schools Declaration. We actively participated in the 5th Conference on the Declaration that was held on November 25th in Nairobi. There we emphasized streamlining agenda perspective and accountability across work done to address attacks against schools. We support the mandate of the SRSG for children in armed conflict also through regular financial contributions. The work there is vital, particularly in terms of fostering mechanisms for reparation and in terms of collecting and verifying information, which is crucial to combat impunity. We support the ICRC global initiative to galvanize political commitment to IHL. In that connection, we co-chair the workgroup on the protection of hospitals. In our view, accountability for crimes committed against children in conflict is vital, as are protection and reparation for young people concerned. As such, we support the work done by the ICC to prosecute these crimes, and we contribute to the trust fund in support of victims, many of whom are girls and boys. Madam President, to conclude, the protection of children in armed conflicts must continue to be a central priority for all states and in particular for this Security Council in order to put an end to these violations and guarantee that no child grows up in the shadow of war. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Spain for that statement. I now wish to give the I now give the floor to Yemen. You have the floor.

Madam President, we thank you for convening this important meeting. At the same time, we would like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the Executive Director of UNICEF. We thank them for their participation and the role they are playing to protect children in armed conflict. My country reiterates its firm commitment to the protection of children and guaranteeing their access to education which is safe, inclusive, and sustainable in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other international conventions. And we're doing this despite the outstanding challenges that we have been facing since the coup d'état by the Houthi militias. And the consequences they brought in their wake. We undertake practical measures to protect our children. We pay greater attention to education, which is an essential tool to combat their recruitment and exploitation of children. We criminalized these activities and strengthened accountability mechanism and work closely with the UN so as to implement relevant action plans there. We created focal points and entities to protect children in various military entities. We also acceded to the, uh, Safe Schools Declaration, and we are making demining efforts. We're clearing the mines and unexploded ordnance laid by the Houthi militias close to schools and other civilian infrastructure. Last Monday, 2 days ago, 5 children were killed and several others were wounded as a result of an explosion of a mine in the government of Dal Dalle. Madam President, the grave violations committed against children in the areas under Houthi militia control are a source of great concern, in particular the violations of their right to education. Those militias continue attracting children in what they call summer camps before sending them to the front lines. This is a grave violation of international humanitarian law, human rights law, and the Convention of the Rights of the Child. This is not direct recruitment— this violation is— but it's transforming schools and other educational institutions, military barracks, and they are becoming a tool of ideological indoctrination. The same militias manipulate school curriculum systematically and use the educational process for their own purposes. These militias are implanting hate and racism in the minds of children, and the same militias exploit the events and school curriculum activities which voids education of its main function, to— namely, to promote social peace and work against children's recruitment. The consequence of that, in addition to violating the children's right, it undermines the future of a whole generation. And this leads to the next question in front of this Council: how long will the Yemeni children suffer from these violations?— violations which are targeting both their present and their future. The victims of this situation are the Yemeni children, but also children abroad. The report of the Secretary-General, Madam President, paints the picture of grave concern— the recruitment of children in the so-called summer camps. And the use that's being made of schools and hospitals for military ends. And that's why we underscore the importance of a monitoring and reporting mechanism. Access— adequate access to documentation about these violations has to be ensured so as to accurately reflect the scope of these violations because they The report describes the access restrictions which continue impeding proper documentation of these violations in the areas under Houthi control, which is why we call the Office of Special Representative, together with UNICEF and within the monitoring reporting mechanism, to attach greater importance to the violations which impact education, including The issue of children's recruitment using educational institutions, manipulating the content of school curriculum, because these practices have a direct and long-term impact on the right of— the rights of children and their future. And they're also a serious threat to the efforts for peace and stability, not just in Yemen, but everywhere in the world. Just imagine the generation we are going to end up with as a result of such ideological indoctrination 25, 30 years down the road. These effects will be felt in Yemen and the whole region. To conclude, Madam President, I'd like to say that my government reaffirms that investing in education is investing in peace. Each child which goes back to school is a step towards breaking the cycle of violence, and each protected school is a chance for us for having a better future for all children. I thank you.

I thank the delegation of Yemen for that statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Japan. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. I would like to thank Colombia for convening this important annual debate. I also thank the briefers, including SRSG Vanessa Fraser and UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, for their sobering briefings. Japan remains deeply concerned by the record number of grave violations against children in armed conflict, including a substantial rise in attacks on schools. The Secretary-General's latest report verified over 38,000 such violations in 2025, with at least 3,176 children subjected to multiple grave violations, including abduction, recruitment and use, and sexual violence. Japan strongly condemns all grave violations against children and calls on all parties to conflict to uphold international humanitarian law and human rights law, including Security Council Resolution 2601. In relation to the SG's latest report, we also note the SG's 2015 report on future of UN peace operations as well as Security Council Resolution 2242. Madam President, access to quality, safe education is a fundamental human right and can serve as an important tool to help prevent and mitigate conflict in the long run. Disrupted education exacerbates the risk of grave violations against children in situations of armed conflict, including recruitment and sexual violence. This year, Japan is supporting a $5 million project through UNICEF to rehabilitate 220 schools and restore learning for over 83,000 conflict-affected children across 5 states in Sudan. Japan will continue to collaborate with UNICEF and other international partners to protect children and education facilities affected by armed conflict through a holistic approach focusing on human security. Education and child protection are interlinked and essential to human security, which places the individual at the center and seeks to protect human dignity, leaving no one behind. Building on this understanding, Japan has served as a co-chair of the Group of Friends for Education since its establishment, contributing to commitment to advancing inclusive, equitable, and quality education for every learner. Madam President, safe access to education depends on a secure environment, which is threatened by explosive hazards. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas remains a major driver of harm to children and destruction of civilian infrastructure. Japan actively supports the EYPAL Political Declaration and has provided assistance in mine action, IED countermeasures, and victim assistance while promoting regional and South-South cooperation. We will continue to undertake these efforts in line with the Declaration. In concluding, no children's future should be determined by conflict, and education is a critical foundation for each child's future. As we mark the 30th anniversary of KAC mandate, Japan reaffirms its shared commitment to protect children under armed conflict and uphold the right to education. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Japan for that statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Cuba. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, as we mark the 30th anniversary of the mandate on Children in Armed Conflict, we reaffirm the need to bolster collective efforts to guarantee the effective protection of all children affected by conflicts. According to United Nations figures, today we are witnessing more than 50 active armed conflicts. Civilians, humanitarian workers, and in particular children continue to pay the highest price in these conflicts. In the Gaza Strip alone, since October 2023, more than 64,000 children have died or been wounded. That is a spine-chilling figure. The illegal and unjustified attacks of the United States and Israel against Iran on the 28th of February, which worsened the conflict in the region, claimed the lives of more than 1,100 children, including the 168 girls that were victims of the brutal shelling of the Minab school. We condemn these acts, which constitute a crime against humanity and which violate the most fundamental norms of international humanitarian law. The effective protection of children is an obligation that cannot be shirked and one that can only be upheld in an international environment based on the respect for international law, the peaceful resolution of disputes, and the upholding of the purposes and principles enshrined in the UN Charter. The international community should tangibly implement the commitment enshrined in various organization documents of the organization to the protection of children and their most fundamental rights, that is, to life, health, education, peace, and the right to fully reach their potential in a dignified, safe, and healthy environment. The longed-for desire to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war should prevail in the place of hegemonic agendas which are multiplying dangerously. Madam President, Cuba remains staunchly committed to international humanitarian law, international law in general, and international human rights law, and we fully uphold obligations entered into pursuant to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the optional protocols to which we are Our country has an integrated, inter-institutional and community-based system to provide proper care for children and young people. It's rooted in public policies designed to guarantee their protection, well-being and full development. In recent years, Cuba has significantly strengthened its legal arsenal in this field. This through the adoption of the Family Code and the Childhood Adolescents and Young People Code. Our government wishes to continue promoting safe environments for the education and development of children. Our government is seeking to bolster mechanisms to prevent all forms of violence. However, the US government is ratcheting up the economic, commercial, and financial blockade against Cuba to extreme levels with an energy siege and the application of so-called secondary sanctions that are extraterritorial in nature, and markedly so. These actions are clearly violations of international law and the UN Charter. They profoundly damage the Cuban people, including our boys and girls. This oil siege that the US applies to Cuba, in terms of its effects, is the equivalent to a naval blockade. That is an act of war and genocide, an act which subjects the Cuban population to conditions which threaten their integrity and existence, and it constitutes a cruel and indiscriminate act of collective punishment that is today killing people, as reflected by the fact that our child mortality rate has doubled from 4% to 9.9%— what, 4— from 4 to 9.9 for every 1,000 live births. And we've seen the life expectancy of children with cancer reduce from by— to the tune of 65%. Our hospitals are lacking electricity, and that means that 100,000 patients are awaiting surgery now, and that figure includes 12,000 boys and girls. It is a crime against humanity. That is the perverse plan being implemented by the government of the United States against Cuba. It's aimed to provoke a humanitarian crisis across the nation. They're using it to justify a military aggression with grave effects that are already beginning to be seen in children, older people, pregnant women, and in general in all of our residents. Cuba is not a threat to the United States and will continue to champion a climate of understanding based on mutual respect in spite of our differences. Our country is a nation of peace, one that advocates for solidarity, international cooperation, mutual respect, dialogue, and the peaceful coexistence between nations. However, if war is imposed upon us— that something that we do not wish to see, as we have warned in this very chamber on several occasions— there will be a fight waged with resolve until the very last breath in defense of our independence, sovereignty, and the right to self-determination. Thank you. Doy las gracias.

I wish to thank the delegate of Cuba for that statement. I now give the floor to the delegate of Estonia. You have the floor.

President, we thank Colombia for convening today's open debate and the briefers for the valuable presentation, notably UNICEF's C.D. Russell, Special Representative Frazier, as well as Mr. Raymond from Plan International. As we mark the 30th anniversary of the Children in Armed Conflict mandate, allow me to start by reaffirming Estonia's unwavering support to the Office of a Special Representative of Secretary-General. To confirm our commitment, Estonia joined the Special Representative's global campaign Prove It Matters. We encourage all member states to do the same. Protection and promotion of the rights of a child is also one of our priorities as a member of the Human Rights Council, where Estonia currently serves as Vice President. Our commitment is further reflected in our role as the President of UNICEF Executive Board Bureau. President. As today's debate focuses on attacks on schools and hospitals as one of the 6 grave violations against children in armed conflict, I would like to draw attention to a fact that a permanent member of this Council is listed in the Annex of the Secretary-General's Annual Report on this exact basis. For the 4th consecutive year, we find the Russian Federation on the list of shame for attacks on Ukrainian schools and hospitals, in addition to killing and maiming of children. We recall that UN Security Council Resolution 2242 and the Secretary-General's decision that countries repeatedly listed in the annexes of his report on children and armed conflict, as well as on conflict-related sexual violence, are prohibited from participating in UN peacekeeping operations. Therefore, we call for the suspension of Russia's participation in the UN peacekeeping operations immediately. We also repeat our call on Russia to end its war of aggression against Ukraine, to stop killing, maiming, and raping Ukrainian children, to cease the unlawful deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children, and ensure their unconditional, immediate and safe return. And— and— to engage in genuine ceasefire negotiations without preconditions. President, unfortunately, recent trends show no improvement in any parts of the world. Year after year, the report reflects a sharp increase of grave violations violence against children. Once again, we are confronted with a shocking reality faced by children in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the DRC, Nigeria, Sudan, Myanmar, Lebanon and Somalia, among a number of other conflict zones. Violations against children cannot be justified under any circumstances. Under any circumstances. We unequivocally condemn all violations against children and call all parties to conflict to abide by international humanitarian law and international human rights law. The perpetrators of these heinous acts must be brought to justice. Colleagues, all violations against children must be investigated and prosecuted through national systems and international justice mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court. But accountability is not negotiable. I thank you.

I thank the delegation of Estonia for that statement. I now give the floor to Mr. Sebastian Rožec, Director General for Multilateral and Global Affairs of the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia. Thank you.

You have the floor.

Croatia aligns itself with the statements of the European Union and the Group of Friends of Children in Armed Conflict, I would like to add a few remarks in my national capacity. We thank Colombia for convening this important debate, as well as the distinguished briefers for their insights. We thank the Special Representative, Vanessa Fraser, for the presentation, and we wish her success in her mandate. Mr. President, Marinko Marinković was 1 year old when he was killed on May 3rd, 1992. He was killed together with his pregnant mother and 5 other children when over 100 warplanes carpet-bombed the Croatian city of Slavonski Brod. This was not a miscalculation. It was not an error. The children were not collateral victims. The intent was to maximize civilian casualties. Marinko is one of the 402 children killed during the aggression against Croatia. More than 1,200 children were wounded, many maimed for life. More than 200 Croatian children were displaced and expelled from their homes. Croatia does not speak about children in armed conflict in the abstract. We know their names. Today, grave violations against children are at record levels. For the first time since the establishment of the Children in Armed Conflict mandate, The report identifies government forces are responsible for the majority of grave violations. Another deeply alarming trend: new technologies and increasingly advanced weapons expose children to immense harm, including in hospitals and schools. No cause justifies targeting children. No war, no ideology, no grievance. We call on all parties to end and prevent grave violations and in accordance with their international obligations. Accountability must be ensured through national mechanisms and, where necessary, through international justice mechanisms. The monitoring and reporting mechanism must be strengthened. We encourage all Member States to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict and to endorse relevant international commitments, including the Paris and Vancouver Principles the Safe School Declaration and the Ewaipa Political Declaration. Mr. President, the Croatian Parliament declared May 3rd as National Remembrance Day for the children killed and wounded during our Homeland War. Our memory is alive, and so is our commitment to this topic. If elected to the Security Council for the term 2030-31, Croatia will not let this issue fade from this Chamber's agenda. Together with UNICEF and other UN partners, Croatia supports initiatives that help children affected by conflict regain access to health, education, and safe spaces. Ultimately, the best protection for children is the prevention of conflict itself. Marinko Marinković never got that chance. Millions of children today still don't. This is why we're here. This is the difference between a life lost and a life lived. Thank you.

I thank Croatia for that statement. I now give the floor to Mexico.

Mr. President, Mexico thanks and commends Colombia for convening this open debate. We are participating today with a deep sense of urgency and solemnity in the face of one of the most heart-rending and morally unconscionable realities of our time, that is the systematic suffering of children and young people in armed conflicts. The most recent report of the Secretary-General pinpoints 2025 as the year in which the most violations against children have been committed. More than 22,000 direct victims of forced recruitment, killings, sexual violence, or abductions were recorded. It is inconceivable that governmental forces feature among the primary perpetrators of these violations. The multilateral legal architecture to protect children is not new. Last century, the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 determined that all children should enjoy special protection. Mexico actively participated in the negotiations which led to the adoption in 2000 of the Additional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. That protocol prohibits the recruitment, training, and use of children within and beyond national borders. The Children and Armed Conflict Agenda of this Security Council was intended to stand as an additional step towards protecting children. It was born of the conviction —of this organ of the United Nations regarding the unacceptable nature of any stance or posture that ran counter to the principles of international humanitarian law. The responsibility is clear. Protection is non-negotiable under all flags. However, the gaping abyss The abyss between the legal arsenal that we have available and the reality on the ground is alarming. Those that pay the highest and most dire consequences are civilians, particularly those that are most vulnerable. The Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack in 2024 and 2025 recorded at least 8,590 attacks attacks on education. That figure constitutes an increase of more than 40% on the period 2022 to 2023. Mexico, as a signatory to the Safe Schools Declaration, condemns the heinous attacks perpetrated against schools in 2026. Schools are not only buildings of concrete with classrooms in them. The stringent respect of educational infrastructure is a fundamental pillar in guaranteeing the comprehensive well-being and development of children. Mexico echoes the appeals of the Secretary-General to states and to parties to conflicts to stringently and absolutely comply with the Security Council resolutions which oblige the protection of schools, hospitals, and humanitarian personnel. And this council has to do more still to enforce its own decisions. The adoption of a resolution in the United Nations, and specifically in the Security Council, is not an end in itself. The true value of these resolutions lies in their implementation. We also demand guarantees from all parties to conflict to the effect that emerging military technologies and cutting-edge military technologies, including unmanned systems and artificial intelligence, continue to remain subject to human control. Decisions on life— the lives or deaths of innocent individuals cannot fall to algorithms or be subject to machines that fudge the numbers. This is no longer science fiction that we're talking about, rather it is a threat hanging over our heads like the Sword of Damocles. President, I conclude by recalling that state sovereignty cannot be used as a shield of impunity to allow the abuse of the weakest among us. No territorial dispute, ideological difference, or geopolitical interest justify the wholesale sacrifice of children. When we allow a school to be shelled, when we allow a child to be forced to brandish a firearm, we are attacking the very viability of future peace and of humankind itself. Thank you.

I give the floor to the delegation of Kuwait. Sayad al-Ahmad, Kuwaiti Ambassador.

Mr. President, the State of Kuwait would like to extend its appreciation to the friendly Republic of Colombia— for convening this important session. I would also like to express our special appreciation to Ms. Vanessa Fraser, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children in Armed Conflict. We thank her for her valuable briefing and for the efforts that she is making to enhance the protection of children affected by armed conflict. We would also like to thank all of the briefers today for their important contributions to this debate. The State of Kuwait affirms that the protection of children during armed conflict is a collective legal and moral responsibility, one that cannot be delayed nor can be applied selectively. We stress that children must not be victims of wars or hostages to conflict. Three decades after the establishment of the Children in Armed Conflict agenda, the challenge does not lie in the absence of international legal rules. Rather, it lies in ensuring their respect and their effective implementation. In reality. My country stresses the need for the full compliance with the provisions of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and we stress the need to ensure the special protection afforded to children as one of the most vulnerable groups affected by armed conflict. Kuwait calls for taking all necessary measures to prevent grave violations against children, including killing and maiming, recruitment and exploitation, sexual violence, abduction, the denial of essential services, education, and healthcare. Mr. President, the State of Kuwait expresses its deep concern over the continued targeting of schools and educational institutions or their use for military purposes, a fact that undermines children's right to education and exposes them to serious risk. Kuwait affirms that schools are civilian facilities that must be respected and protected at all times. We stress that maintaining the continuity of education during conflict is a fundamental investment in peace, stability, and sustainable development. In this context, Kuwait affirms its support for international efforts aimed at protecting education during armed conflict, and we welcome the Safe Schools Declaration as an important framework to strengthen the protection of educational institutions and limit the military use of schools and universities, thus ensuring a safe learning environment for children even at times of conflict. The State of Kuwait also expresses grave concern over the ongoing deterioration of children's conditions in conflict zones throughout the world. Millions of children face the risk of death, of injury, forced displacement, and deprivation of education, healthcare, and protection. The State of Kuwait affirms that children bear a disproportionate burden of armed conflicts, which requires international efforts to be strengthened to provide them with protection and to ensure respect for international humanitarian law under all circumstances. The State of Kuwait highlights the importance of preserving family unity and the importance of preventing the separation of children from their families during armed conflict. It also stresses the need to work towards reunifying families and clarifying the fate of missing persons, given the profound effect this has on children and their families. Here, child protection and family care are fundamental pillars of Kuwait's legislative and constitutional framework. The Constitution of the State of Kuwait, in Article 9, stipulates that the family is the foundation of society based on religion, morality, and patriotism. The law preserves the, the form of the family and strengthens its bonds and protects motherhood and childhood under its care. Article 10 of the Constitution confirms the state's commitment to caring for youth and protecting children from exploitation and moral, physical, and spiritual neglect. Article 13 of the Constitution stipulates that education is a cornerstone of social progress, guaranteed and supported by the state. And based on these constitutional principles, the State of Kuwait continues its efforts to promote and protect the rights of the child in fulfillment of its national and international obligations. Mr. President, The State of Kuwait believes that the importance of utilizing available humanitarian tools and mechanisms to enhance the protection of the child. This includes incorporating child protection measures into ceasefire agreements, peace processes, and political settlements, and ensuring the release of children associated with armed forces or armed groups, and supporting their safe and sustainable reintegration into their communities. Ensuring rapid, safe, and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance to children in need is an urgent humanitarian necessity. Kuwait calls on all parties to conflict to facilitate the work of neutral and independent humanitarian organizations to ensure that they are able to access the civilians in need. My country stresses that impunity encourages the recurrence of grave violations against children, which requires strengthening accountability and ensuring that those responsible for such crimes are held accountable in accordance with international law. Mr. President, the State of Kuwait expresses its strong condemnation and categorical rejection of the unacceptable statements and accusations leveled by the representative of the Israeli entity against United Nations officials. Most recently during the observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict in 2026. These statements included offensive language and baseless accusations that have no professional or objective basis, directly targeting United Nations officials and UN institutions as a whole. In a manner that lacks the most basic standards of responsibility and respect owed to international organizations and their personnel. The State of Kuwait considers that these— this behavior is a continuation of a recurring pattern of targeting United Nations officials and questioning their integrity and independence, including the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Executive Director of UN Women and other United Nations officials simply for carrying out their mandated duties and presenting reports and briefings based on facts that were documented and independent sources. Kuwait further affirms that these practices reflect a systematic approach that aims at undermining the credibility of the UN and its specialized mechanisms. And aims to weaken its role in monitoring, documentation, and accountability. The State of Kuwait affirms that attempts to defame United Nations officials or cast doubt on their impartiality or independence will not change the facts that were documented by independent United Nations reports, nor will they divert attention from the grave and systematic violations of international law and international humanitarian law. Including those violations committed against children, women, and civilians in conflict areas. Nor will such attempts prevent holding the perpetrators of those violations accountable, or will— nor would they absolve them of their legal and moral responsibility. In this context, the State of Kuwait expresses its appreciation for the important role played by Ms. Vanessa Frazer, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. We appreciate the professional and dedicated efforts she has made in carrying out her mandate and advancing the agenda of child protection in armed conflict since assuming her duties. The State of Kuwait affirms its full support for the work of her office and the mandate that she was entrusted with by the Security Council. We stress the importance of enabling all United Nations officials and specialized mechanisms to perform their duties with independence, impartiality, and objectivity, based on the facts and established international standards, and free from any pressure or attempts to influence their work or undermine their credibility. Mr. President, Stemming from its firmly established humanitarian approach, the State of Kuwait has given special attention to child-related issues and those related to the protection of children. We have continued to support humanitarian and development efforts that aim at providing education, healthcare, and protection to children affected by conflict and humanitarian crises throughout the world. On the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Children in Armed Conflict Agenda, the protection of children remains an obligation, a legal, moral, and humanitarian obligation that cannot be delayed. From this perspective, Kuwait calls upon the international community to move from the phase of making pledges to that of actual implementation in a manner that would guarantee that every child affected by conflict would enjoy the right to security, protection, education, and a future of dignity and hope. I thank you.

I thank the delegation of Kuwait for that statement. The presidency is acting in accordance with its functions, kindly reminding speakers to limit their statements to no more than 3 minutes so that the Council is able to conduct its work expeditiously. With that, I now give the floor to Her Excellency Ambassador Hede Sampson from the delegation of the European Union to the United Nations.

Thank you, Mr.

President. I have the honor to deliver the statement on behalf of of the European Union and its member states. The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Andorra, Monaco, and San Marino, aligned themselves with this statement. And I'd like to thank you for convening this important open debate, and the briefers for their insights. And I'd like to particularly thank the SRSG for her important work. Following an already staggering rise in 2023 and 2024, the latest SG Report on Children in Armed Conflict shows a further upsurge of verified violations in 2025. We note with concern that for the first time ever, government forces are responsible for the majority of these. Children face unique vulnerabilities in situations of armed conflict. And have a much lower threshold of harm than adults have. Behind the concise language and numbers in the report lie devastating individual stories of suffering, which irreversibly impact or end young lives. And we have a responsibility to keep them in our minds as we discuss this topic, and ensure that in doing so, we speak not only about them, about children, but also with them. We need to do everything we can to end and prevent grave violations against children and to ensure those responsible are held accountable. We urge all parties to armed conflict to uphold their obligations under international law and cooperate with international justice mechanisms, including the ICC. President, looking at specific country situations, we draw attention to the fact— that the Russian Armed Forces continue to be listed as responsible for committing grave violations against children for the fourth consecutive year. And note that all countries repeatedly listed are prohibited from participating in UN peacekeeping operations in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2242. We reiterate our urgent call on Russia and Belarus to ensure the safe and unconditional return of all unlawfully deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children, and to cease any further practices of deportation, separation from families, changes of citizenship, adoption or placement in foster families, militarization and indoctrination, in line with the December 2025 resolution of the UN General Assembly. We are appalled at the grave violations committed against children in the occupied Palestinian Territory and in Israel. We stress the need for rapid, safe and unimpeded delivery and sustained distribution of humanitarian aid at scale into and throughout Gaza. We call on all parties to facilitate full and unimpeded humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip to respond to the urgent needs of the population and urge for aid to be effectively distributed in accordance with international law, including by UN agencies. We also condemn the deteriorated situation for children in the West Bank, the increase in settler violence, and grave violations committed against children in Lebanon, as well as terrorist attacks against Israel. We are also appalled by the continuously high number of grave violations committed against children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Sudan. We note the report's observation that the global decrease in funding for child protection and the drawdown of peace operations have significantly reduced the UN's capacity to verify grave violations and to implement prevention efforts. Mr. President, we are proud to have facilitated the extension of the mandate of the Special Representative of the SG on Children in Armed Conflict by the General Assembly for a further 4 years together with Uruguay on behalf of RULAC. We also chose CAC as the theme of the Rights of the Child Resolution at the Human Rights Council in spring 2026. We continue to work closely with our partners to protect children in armed conflict situations, including through dedicated AU-EU meetings on the topic, and welcome the appointment of the African Union Special Envoy. We also underlined the need to increase predictable and sustainable financial support for the monitoring and reporting mechanism. And Mr. President, last but not least, let me highlight our unwavering support to SRSF and her office. We are deeply concerned about any attacks or spreading of this information, including in this hall, against her office and her person. Thank you.

Thank you.

I thank Ms. Sampson for that statement. I now give the floor to the delegation of Belgium.

Thank you, President. President, Belgium aligns itself with the statements of the Group of Friends for Children in Conflict and the statement of the EU, as just read out by Ambassador Samson. We thank Colombia for organizing this debate, as well as all briefers, in particular the SRSG. I have the honor to deliver the following statement in my national capacity. As we approach the 30th anniversary of the KAC mandate, it is appalling that the number of grave violations against children has continued to rise in 2025, reaching the highest levels ever verified. Alarmingly, government forces were identified as the primary perpetrators for the very first time. This trend cannot be separated from the outright disregard for the most fundamental principles of international law, especially international humanitarian and international human rights law, that we have been witnessing these past few years. Children are clearly the most vulnerable victims of this disturbing evolution. Attacks on schools and educational facilities or on hospitals appear to have become normalized. The scale of violations in the occupied Palestinian territory is shocking. Belgium urges Israel to grant access to and engage with the United Nations, foremost the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. The development of an action plan to end and prevent grave violations against children is imperative. It should also include Lebanon. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, The situation remains dire as well. Despite certain positive steps by the government, grave violations persist. Most alarming is the scale of sexual violence perpetrated by all conflict parties. We encourage the Congolese authorities to strengthen the fight against impunity, notably through the prosecution of grave violations, including cases of sexual violence against children. Belgium welcomes the decrease in grave violations attributed to the Ukrainian Armed Forces and commends the ongoing implementation of the Joint Prevention Plan. After the visit of the SRSG to Ukraine in April, she also visited the Russian Federation. We urge the Russian authorities to build on this visit and to sincerely cooperate with the Office of the SRSG and all other involved actors to develop an action plan. This should include the return without delay of transferred or deported Ukrainian children and their reunification with their families and/or guardians. President, our efforts should focus on bolstering the effective implementation of the CAAC agenda, notably: 1. The work in the field by the Country Task Forces on monitoring and reporting, which Belgium reports by funding the monitoring and reporting mechanism through UNICEF. Two, the timely preparation of detailed country reports by the Office of the SRSG. Three, the adoption of actionable conclusions by the dedicated Council Working Group. And four, subsequent in-country collaboration by local actors and the international community to make the best interest of the child the primary consideration even in conflict. We would also encourage further advocacy for joining and implementing the Safe Schools Declaration. In closing, President, allow me to reaffirm Belgium's strong support for the Children in Armed Conflict mandate and for the SRSG. I thank you.

I thank the delegation of Belgium for that Statement, I now give the floor to the Dominican Republic.

Thank you very much, Mr. President, for giving me the floor. The Dominican Republic wishes to express its gratitude for the convening of this open debate and for the concept note. The concept note underscores one of the most devastating consequences of armed conflict, the impact it has on children and the increasing vulnerability of educational environments We also give thanks for the arduous work done by the SRSG for Children in Armed Conflict, Ms. Vanessa Fraser. The protection of children in armed conflict constitutes a legal and moral obligation. Schools cannot be viewed as targets, nor as secondary arenas in which the dynamics of war can play out. They are essential environments for protection, where what is preserved is not only the right to education but also the very foundations for social recovery and the development of a lasting peace. Madame President, as a State party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Dominican Republic has strengthened its normative framework through Law 136-03 on the Protection of the Fundamental Rights of Children and Adolescents. Moreover, we support the political declaration on strengthening protection of civilians against the consequences of— the humanitarian consequences of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. The effects of such use disproportionately plague girls and boys. Indeed, children face immediate risk for their lives and integrity, as well as long-term physical and psychological consequences. As such, in our view, it is essential to bolster prevention, monitoring, and accountability mechanisms. It's also vital to systematically incorporate the protection of children into peace processes, ceasefires, and humanitarian agreements. Special attention must be given to the protection of schools and other educational environments. Mr. President, the Dominican Republic underscores the need for more effective international cooperation, cooperation which must bolster the capacity of the United Nations humanitarian actors and national child protection systems, particularly in fragile contexts. 30 years after the establishment of the Children in Armed Conflict Agenda, we must renew our collective commitment to transforming normative progress into tangible results for those that need them most. Children affected by armed conflicts deserve more than our concern. They deserve our action. Let us not fail those children. Thank you.

I give the floor to Ethiopia.

Mr. President, thank you for convening this meeting. I would also like to thank SRSG Vanessa Fraser and Ms. Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF, for their briefings. Mr. President, the Government of Ethiopia reiterates its unwavering commitment to the protection and rights of all children. As a party to relevant international and regional instruments, Ethiopia recognizes that the protection of children is both a legal obligation and a moral imperative. Ethiopia remains firmly committed to preventing and responding to all grave violations against children. My government continues to strengthen national policies and institutions aimed at safeguarding children and ensuring accountability where violations occur. As a country committed to achieving universal access to quality to education, Ethiopia remains— Ethiopia emphasizes the importance of protecting educational institutions. Education is a fundamental right that must be safeguarded under all circumstances. Protecting schools means protecting the future. In this context, Ethiopia has engaged constructively and consistently with the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for children in armed conflict. In addition, the Government established a dedicated focal team comprising senior officials and technical experts from relevant institutions, and has maintained regular consultations with the UN Country Team. My Government welcomes continued dialogue and cooperation with United Nations mechanisms. At the same time, it notes with concern the continued inclusion of my country on Section B of the report entitled Situations Not on the Agenda of the Security Council or Other Situations. The current report does not fully reflect the extensive measures undertaken by Ethiopia to prevent violations, investigate allegations, strengthen institutional response, and enhance child protection frameworks. Greater recognition of these efforts would contribute to a more balanced and comprehensive assessment of the situation. Ethiopia further emphasizes that the credibility and effectiveness of the children in armed conflict agenda depend on the adherence to the principles of objectivity, transparency, accuracy, and due process. In this regard, the government remains concerned about allegations that lack sufficient detail or are attributed to unidentified perpetrators, which can limit the ability of national authorities to conduct effective investigations and implement corrective measures. The government has consistently expressed its readiness to investigate any allegations supported by credible and verifiable information, and to take appropriate action where warranted. To facilitate such efforts, Ethiopia has repeatedly requested actionable details that would enable competent authorities to take preventive as well as correct preventive measures. In this regard, enhanced information sharing and cooperation should be prioritized over an emphasis on reporting. With regard to allegations attributed to the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, the government maintains that any claims should be supported by clear and verifiable evidence and assessed through a transparent process. Ethiopia therefore emphasizes the need to ensure that reporting accurately reflects verified information. In this regard, we categorically reject unfounded allegations made against the Ethiopian National Defense Forces. In addition, the government continues to facilitate unimpeded access to the UN Country Team and relevant UN entities operating in Ethiopia according to their respective mandates. We regret the reporter's characterization on acts process and reject an approach that does not contribute to a collaborative working relationship. Mr. President, Ethiopia remains committed to constructive engagement with the United Nations and all partners in advancing the protection of children. The government stands ready to continue dialogue with the Office of the SRSG while continuing to carry out efforts to enhance the protection of children as part of its sovereign responsibility. I thank you.

I thank the delegation of Ethiopia for that statement. I now give the floor to the delegation of Algeria.

Mr. President, my delegation expresses its gratitude to Colombia for convening this important debate. We thank UNICEF Executive Director Katharine Russell for her insightful statement. And we also thank Assaraji Vanessa Frazier for her sobering briefing, and we affirm Algeria's full support for the fulfillment of her mandate. We welcome in particular her proactive engagement since taking office, as well as her courageous stand despite the pressuring, despite vicious attack, despite personal attacks against her. Madame Vanessa Fraser, don't be intimidated. Algeria firmly believes We believe that protecting schools in conflict zones is essential, as evidenced by our endorsement of the Save School Declaration. The 30th anniversary of the CAC mandate must lead to serious reflection. The UN have verified over 38,000 grave violations against children in 2025, the highest level ever recorded. The most alarming situation is Israel violations in the occupied Palestinian territory. Over 21,000 children killed have been raped, killed in Gaza since October 2023. And the future of 56,000 orphans has been shattered. This tragic situation is induced by a blatant disregard for international humanitarian law by Israel. And also a pervasive lack of accountability. President, Algeria is deeply alarmed by deliberate attacks on schools in conflict zones—schools that should be safe havens are being reduced to rubble, denying children their right of education, and in some cases, threatening their very life. We are particularly concerned by the total collapse of education in Gaza since 2023. While a whole generation of children in Gaza faces devastating disruption and widespread denial of education opportunities, urgent, urgent and decisive action from the international community is needed to change The situation— to change this situation, we must focus on three priorities. First, mechanisms of accountability must be strengthened to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law and to hold perpetrators accountable for violations. No more impunity. No more immunity. Second, President, child protection must be fully integrated in peace processes. And from the outset. Third, emerging threats to children's education must be addressed, including those arising in the digital environment. In conclusion, President, Algeria reaffirms every child's right to education. This is important. This is crucial for breaking cycles of violence and investing in peace. Otherwise, otherwise, and without genuine political will, children will continue to bear the heaviest burden of armed conflict. I thank you.

I thank the delegation of Algeria for that statement. I give the floor to the delegation of Switzerland.

Monsieur le Président. Mr. President, Switzerland is deeply concerned by the growing number of grave violations committed against children in armed conflict. The Secretary-General's latest report records the highest number of violations since the establishment of the Children in Armed Conflict mandate Even more alarmingly, government forces have, for the first time in 30 years, been identified as the primary perpetrators of these violations. Switzerland would like to underscore 3 points. First, the protection of children depends on respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Switzerland reaffirms its support for the monitoring and reporting mechanism. This mechanism is essential for document— documenting violations, um, guiding prevention efforts, and strengthening accountability. An effective field presence as well as safe access to affected populations are indispensable both for documenting all violations and for ensuring the protection of children. In a context of budgetary pressures, it is essential to preserve the independence, impartiality, and credibility of the Children in Armed Conflict mandate, of the MRM mechanism, and specialized child protection capacities, including within UN missions. Second, schools must remain safe civilian spaces. Their militarization directly exposes children and education personnel to attacks, and it also deprives children of access to education with lasting consequences for their future and that of impacted societies. Education is both a fundamental right and a measure of protection which reduces the risk of recruitment and exploitation and supports the integrate— reintegration of children affected by conflict. Switzerland reaffirms its support for the Safe Schools Declaration and encourages all states to endorse and fully implement its commitments. Third, prevention must be placed at the heart of our action. This requires the systematic integration of child protection and education into peace processes and agreements. We welcome the reintegration of approximately 13,000 children formerly associated with armed forces or armed groups who, during the reporting period, benefited from protection or reintegration support. These results demonstrate that the Children in Armed Conflict agenda delivers tangible results when it is fully supported and implemented. Mr. President, there is no second chance for childhood. States which now rank among the main perpetrators, perpetrators of grave violations against Children must put an end to these violations, investigate the crimes committed, and prosecute those who are suspected of responsibility. The best way to protect children remains to prevent and resolve conflicts that deprive them not only of their rights and security, but also of their dignity and their future. To conclude, I would express our full support for the mandate Children and Armed conflict and the Special Representative Vanessa Fraser.

I thank you. I thank the delegation of Switzerland for that statement. I give the floor to Italy. You have the floor.

Mr. President, distinguished delegates, we thank the Presidency of Colombia for convening this important debate and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict for her dedication and their continued leadership. Thank you. Italy aligns itself with the statements delivered by the Group of Friends of Children in Armed Conflict and by the European Union. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Children in Armed Conflict agenda. Over the past 3 decades, the United Nations has developed a robust normative framework to better protect children from the devastating consequences of war. Important progress has been achieved, including the release of thousands of children from armed forces and armed groups, and the implementation of action plans aimed at preventing grave violations. Yet, despite these efforts, children continue to pay an unacceptable price in armed conflicts around the world. Recent United Nations reports paint a deeply alarming picture. The number of grave violations against children has reached unprecedented levels. Attacks on schools and hospitals have increased dramatically, while killing and maiming, recruitment and use, abductions, sexual violence, and denial of— humanitarian access continue to affect children in multiple conflict situations. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas, as well as the growing use of emerging technologies in armed conflict, including unmanned aerial systems and artificial intelligence-supported targeting processes, remain major drivers of harm to children. Technological developments must remain fully consistent with international humanitarian law and must never undermine the special protection afforded to children. Italy in partic— Italy is particularly concerned by the growing number of attacks against schools and educational facilities. Education is not only a fundamental right, it is also a source of protection, resilience and hope. When schools are attacked, occupied or destroyed, children lose access not only to learning but also to safety, stability and opportunities for their future. We therefore reiterate our strong support for the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2601 and encourage wider endorsement and implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration. Schools must never become military targets or be used for military purposes. Respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law remains indispensable. All parties to conflict must comply with their obligation, take concrete measures to prevent grave violations against children, and ensure safe, rapid, and unhindered humanitarian access. Accountability is equally essential. Perpetrators of grave violations against children must be held responsible. Impunity only fuels further abuse and undermines prospects for sustainable peace. We are also concerned by the impact of funding shortfalls on child protection activities. Reduced resources are affecting monitoring and reporting capacities. Education programs, psychosocial support and the reintegration of children formerly associated with armed forces and armed groups. At a time when needs are growing, the international community must ensure predictable and adequate support for child protection efforts. Italy remains firmly committed to the Children and Armed Conflict Agenda and to working with the United Nations Member States and civil society to strengthen the protection of children affected by armed conflict. Allow me to conclude with a simple but essential reminder: children must never be the targets of war. Protecting them is not only a legal obligation, it is a moral responsibility and an investment in peace itself. I thank you.

I thank the delegation of Italy for that With that statement, I now give the floor to the delegation of Slovenia.

Thank you, Mr. President. I thank Colombia for convening today's Open Debate. And I also thank Special Representative of the Secretary General, Ms. Vanessa Fraser, as well as Executive Director Russell and Mr. Raymond for their briefings. Slovenia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union., as well as with the one of the Group of Friends of Children in Armed Conflict. Mr. President, I would like to confirm Slovenia's longstanding commitment to the rights of the child and Children in Armed Conflict agenda. Let me also express Slovenia's strong support to the mandate and the office of the SRSG for CAC. Mr. President, colleagues, we mark 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Children in Armed Conflict mandate. Since then, the Council has developed a robust normative framework in support of the mandate. It has proved to be one of the most effective tools to protect children affected by armed conflict. In the last three decades, we have seen an important progress in implementation of the Agenda. However, the unprecedented number of armed conflicts around the globe is also having a horrific impact on children. The latest report of the Secretary-General is portraying the darkest picture and today's sad reality. Alarmingly, the numbers of verified grave violations remain on a steep rise. The 6 grave violations against children in armed conflict that continue to be committed remain a matter of deep concern. Record numbers of grave violations since the establishment of the mandate are shocking and alarming. Sadly, indeed, that for the first time government forces in several Kak situations were identified as the main perpetrators of grave violations against children. The persistently high number of grave violations committed against children is unacceptable and should not be tolerated. Preventing these violations requires sustained political will accountability, and coordinated action by all stakeholders. Mr. President, despite international commitments, attacks on schools, students, and teachers continue. According to Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack, there is significant 40% increase of attacks on education in the last 2 years. Educational facilities are too often damaged, destroyed, occupied, or used for military purposes. When education is disrupted by conflict, children face heightened risks of recruitment and use by armed groups, exploitation, sexual violence, displacement, child labour, and other grave violations. Mr. President, in this context, allow me to highlight the following points. First, all parties in armed conflict must respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Grave violations against children must end immediately. Second, the protection of schools, students, and teachers must be strengthened. Schools are civilian objects, not targets, and must therefore be protected from attacks and military use. Third, monitoring, reporting, and investigation mechanisms are critical. For documenting abuses and violations, and with that, contributing to the fight against impunity. Perpetrators must be held accountable, including through international courts such as the International Criminal Court. Effective prosecution of international crimes also requires robust mechanisms for mutual legal assistance, evidence sharing, cross-border coordination, extradition, and protection of witnesses and victims. For victims, such as the Ljubljana-The Hague Convention. Mr. President, let me conclude by quoting from the report "Impact of Armed Conflict on Children" of the expert of the Secretary-General, Ms. Graca Machel, issued in 1996, and I quote: "Let us claim children as zones of peace. In this way, humankind will finally declare that childhood is inviolate and that all children must be spared the pernicious effects of armed conflict. So let us transfer our moral outrage into concrete action. I thank you.

I thank the delegation of Slovenia for that statement. I give the floor to the delegation of Lithuania. Thank you, Mr. President.

Lithuania aligns itself with the EU statement and would like to add the following remarks in its national capacity. We thank Colombia for organizing this important open debate and express our appreciation to USG Vanessa Fraser and all briefers for their valuable insights. Secretary-General's report reflects an unprecedented scale of violations against children that should deeply trouble this Council. Each verified case points to disregard for international humanitarian and human rights law, and the urgent need to move from acknowledgement to action. We are particularly alarmed by developments across multiple contexts. In Sudan, children continue to face widespread killing and maiming, as well as attacks on schools and hospitals. In Afghanistan, children are subject to recruitment, attacks on educational facilities, and severe restrictions on girls' access to education. We are gravely concerned about the ongoing sufferings of children in Israel and in the occupied Palestinian territories caused by the unstable security situation that has developed since the attacks of October 7th. The sharp increase in grave violations underscores the urgent need to ensure access to humanitarian aid, and medical services, rebuild civilian infrastructure, protect schools as safe spaces, and strengthen accountability above all. Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine continues to have devastating consequences for Ukrainian children. The UN has verified high numbers of grave violations, including the killing and maiming of children and hundreds of attacks on schools and hospitals, though restrictions on humanitarian access mean the full scale remains underreported. For 4 consecutive years, Russian armed forces have been listed in the Annexes of the Secretary-General's report for grave violations against children, and this year also for the first time in the report on conflict-related sexual violence. A deeply alarming and persistent pattern. In this context, we recall Security Council Resolution 2242, which underscores that parties repeatedly listed for such violations should not participate in UN peacekeeping operations. We also recall the Secretary-General's position that listed parties are under an obligation to engage with the UN, adopt time-bound action plans, and cease violations. Accordingly, we call to ensure full implementation of these obligations and accountability for their violations. We also support the implementation of the General Assembly resolution on the return of Ukrainian children and commend the work of the Secretary-General, UNICEF, and other UN partners in ensuring not only safe returns but also the reintegration of children into their families communities and education systems. Protecting children requires concrete action. We must strengthen national mechanisms, support monitoring and reporting, as well as integrate child protection into peace processes and ceasefires. Lefina strongly commends the work of the Office of the Special Representative for the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, We reaffirm our unwavering support for the CAC mandate and pledge to continue contributing to the efforts aimed at preventing violations, ensuring accountability, and safeguarding every child's right to a safe future. I thank you.

I thank the delegation of Lithuania. I give the floor to Luxembourg.

Muchas gracias, Señor Presidente. Thank you very much, Mr.

President. Mr. President, Luxembourg aligns itself with the statement made by the European Union and by the Group of Friends of Children Affected by Armed Conflict. We thank Colombia for organizing this debate, as well as a special representative of the Secretary General, Vanessa Frazier, for her commitment and for the presentation of the annual report on children in armed conflict. Today, armed conflicts conflicts are longer, more complex, more urbanized, and marked by non-compliance with international law, and children pay the heaviest price. The number of grave violations committed against children verified by the UN reached the highest level in 2025 since the creation of the mandate on children in armed conflict 30 years ago. It is shocking that the majority of these violations have been committed by government forces, despite the fact that they have the primary responsibility to protect civilians. More than 12,000 grave violations have been documented in Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank. This alarming situation requires our urgent attention. In addition, in their war of aggression against Ukraine, The Russian Armed Forces continue to kill and maim children. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas has a devastating impact. The increase in attacks on schools and hospitals and the use of, uh, this civilian infrastructure for military purposes is of great concern. Millions of children in conflict zones are deprived of education. Girls are particularly affected The implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration must therefore be a priority. Every child must be able to live in a safe learning environment and fully enjoy his or her fundamental right to education. While impunity persists in the vast majority of cases, it is essential to ensure accountability through adequate legislation, effective investigation and prosecution, and enhanced cooperation with international mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court. The perpetrators of serious violations must be brought to justice. Continued support for the Mandate on Children in Armed Conflict and its monitoring and reporting mechanism is essential to enable it to reliably document violations and to continue its much-needed work. Mr. President, Luxembourg remains resolutely committed to the protection of children in armed conflict and to the full realization of their basic rights. We have long supported UNICEF and the Office of the Special Representative, and we call on all parties to cooperate with her. The protection of children's rights is not an option. But a collective and imperative obligation. I thank you.

I thank the delegation of Luxembourg for that statement. I now give the floor to the delegation of Finland.

Muchas gracias, señor presidente. I address the Council on behalf of the Nordic countries: Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and my own country, Finland. We commend the Special Representative on Children in Armed Conflict, Miss Vanessa Fraser, for your active and dedicated work since assuming this role in October last year. We encourage your continued advocacy and engagement with parties to armed conflicts. In addition to the valuable thematic debates like the one we are having today, we urge the Council to take the impact of conflict on children into account in all its country-specific considerations. President, in recent years, the scale of suffering endured by children in conflict zones has been devastating and deeply distressing. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian children have been unlawfully deported and forcibly transferred to Russia, Belarus, and Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine. In Gaza, countless children have lost their lives or been left with profound, life-altering physical and psychological injuries amid ongoing violence. In Sudan, appalling reports continue to emerge of children subjected to widespread sexual violence and exploitation. Too many children have been denied life-saving humanitarian assistance. Existence globally. These are all extremely grave violations against children in war zones, and they must stop now. International humanitarian law is not optional. It must be respected. President, today we focus on the right to education in times of conflict. The Nordic countries have all endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration and are committed to protecting education in conflict zones. The need to protect schools during armed conflict is not only rooted in safeguarding those within them, particularly children, but also in preserving the essential services that schools provide. While the COVID pandemic demonstrated that education can continue through remote and online learning, it also highlighted the limitations of such alternatives. Children benefit from presence of their peers, and virtual teaching cannot fully replicate the sense of community that schools provide. Schools are far more than buildings or places of learning. They are vital spaces for social interaction, healthy nutrition, psychosocial well-being, and for fostering social cohesion. Their protection is essential to the well-being of children, and the resilience of communities. Finally, the Nordic countries call upon all states to endorse and implement the Safe Schools Declaration, train military forces and security services accordingly, and strengthen early warning and evacuation systems. Local communities, humanitarian actors, and, and educators should join forces to keep learning spaces neutral protected and resilient. By protecting schools, we safeguard futures. I thank you.

I thank the delegation of Finland for that statement. We have a number of speakers still inscribed on the list. With the agreement of the council members, I will now move to suspend the meeting until tomorrow at 10 AM, Thursday, the 25th of June, 2026. The meeting is suspended.