We must protect and build on 30 years of work supporting the protection of children in conflicts: UK statement at the UN Security Council
The UK urges continued protection of the UN’s 30-year Children and Armed Conflict mandate amid rising violations and evolving threats, including digital recruitment and drone attacks.
Thirty years after its adoption, the UN’s Children and Armed Conflict mandate has secured over 40 action plans with conflict parties, leading to the separation of more than 220,000 children from armed forces and groups. These children have benefited from reduced exposure to violence, family reunification, mental health support, and access to education. The UK highlights that despite these efforts, grave violations against children remain at record levels, with evolving threats such as drone attacks in Sudan and missile strikes in Ukraine. In Gaza, 700,000 students are deprived of education due to damaged or destroyed schools, underscoring the urgent need for continued protection.
The UK welcomes the Security Council’s adoption of resolution 2832, which addresses the impact of digital technologies on children in conflict, including risks of recruitment and use in armed groups. The resolution strengthens monitoring of emerging threats and reinforces accountability for perpetrators. The UK also acknowledges Greece’s leadership in advancing this resolution to address modern warfare’s digital dimensions.
The UK calls on all parties listed in the Secretary-General’s annual report to engage constructively with the UN to agree and implement action plans aimed at ending and preventing grave violations against children. This includes addressing violations such as recruitment, killing, maiming, and attacks on schools and hospitals. The UK emphasizes the need for parties to uphold their obligations under international law to protect children in conflict zones.
At a time when respect for international law is under strain, the UK stresses the importance of protecting and building on three decades of progress under the Children and Armed Conflict framework. This includes safeguarding the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism, ensuring UN access to conflict zones, and maintaining consistent application of the framework. The UK reaffirms its commitment to supporting these efforts to uphold the rights and safety of children in armed conflict.