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Remarks by the President of the General Assembly, <\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I thank the Co-Chairs of the Group of Friends for inviting me to speak.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I take this occasion to commend the Group for their advocacy for the rights of children and for advancing this agenda at the United Nations, as part of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Your continued dedication has already achieved significant results, including the integration of children\u2019s rights into key intergovernmental processes such as the Pact for the Future.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I have no doubt your efforts will continue to yield meaningful outcomes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Children\u2014especially those living in conflict zones, on the streets, or in migration contexts\u2014remain among the most vulnerable populations, often bearing the heaviest burden of global crises.<\/p>\n According to the Secretary-General\u2019s 2023 report on the protection of civilians, three out of ten civilians killed in conflicts were children.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This is simply unacceptable.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As we prepare to mark the 80th<\/sup>\u00a0anniversary of these United Nations next year, we must recommit to our founding legacy to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, and from all other suffering.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With determination, without delay, undeterred.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Let us intensify our efforts to protect and promote children\u2019s rights.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Recalling that the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which celebrated its 35th anniversary this year, is a near-universally ratified treaty, we must devote all efforts to implementing its provisions to safeguard children\u2019s rights.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Equally critical is to ensure that we accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, and, in particular, on the issue of child poverty, which traps children in cycles of hardship.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We share a collective responsibility to create a world that respects, protects, and fulfills every child\u2019s rights. A world aligned with our aspirations for sustainable development and lasting peace.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n During my presidency, I will prioritize peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, which includes safeguarding children\u2019s rights and well-being.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I will advocate for the implementation of the Pact for the Future\u2019s commitments concerning children and young people.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Among these critical concerns is the grave issue of child labour, a human rights violation that must be universally condemned.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I intend to spotlight this topic during my presidency in order to raise awareness and promote the elimination of child labour in all its forms, including the recruitment and use of child soldiers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I will elaborate more on these priorities in my speech this January.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the meantime, I look forward to the support and cooperation of this Group of Friends,\u00a0including through their active participation in the various General Assembly processes.<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By upholding children\u2019s rights, we can create a world where every child reaches their full potential\u2014free from harm and violence, with their dignity and well-being always protected.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As we work toward this goal, we must also recognize that children have the right to be active participants in shaping their own futures.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This commitment aligns with the principles outlined in the Declaration on Future Generations, which we adopted as part of the Pact for the Future last September, and which emphasizes our duty to consider the rights and needs of those yet to be born.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We must amplify the voices of children and youth, recognizing them as vital agents of positive change.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Their active participation is essential for advancing peace, security, sustainable development, and human rights.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n To achieve this, children and youth must be placed at the core of policies and implementation strategies for the Sustainable Development Goals, with a strong focus on protecting their rights and well-being.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Furthermore, their meaningful engagement must be prioritized at both national and international levels, ensuring their contributions shape our collective efforts toward a better future.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Indeed, as emphasized in the Declaration on Future Generations, youth have a right to be consulted.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For they hold the greatest stake in the fate of our world – as the children of today, will be the adults of tomorrow.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Let us act decisively and in solidarity to build a better future for all children, everywhere.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I thank you<\/p>\n * *****<\/strong><\/p>\n Event Webcast Link: International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime | Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Web TV<\/a><\/p>\n Media Contacts<\/strong><\/p>\n Sharon Birch<\/strong>,\u00a0Spokesperson for\u00a0the President of the General Assembly,\u00a0Tel: + 212 963 0564, M: +1 646 342 5873, Email: birchs@un.org<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Dr. Mariam Shaikh, <\/strong>Adviser\/ Social and Digital Media\/Media Relations M: +1 917 3614990, mariam.shaikh@un.org<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n More Information and Updates\u00a0: Website<\/a><\/u><\/strong>: \u00a0<\/strong>YouTube: <\/a><\/u><\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>X (Twitter):<\/a><\/u><\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Instagram<\/a><\/u><\/strong>: \u00a0<\/strong>LinkedIn: <\/a><\/u><\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Photo Repository<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,Mr. Philemon Yang,Informal Meeting of the Group of Friends (GoF) on Children and the SDGs, on the topic \u201cSetting ambitions for children\u2019s rights […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":373,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[81,111],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-282474","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog","category-speeches","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n
Mr. Philemon Yang,
Informal Meeting of the Group of Friends (GoF) on Children and the SDGs, on the topic \u201cSetting ambitions for children\u2019s rights in 2025\u201d
<\/strong>Friday, 13 December 2024, 08:30 \u2013 09:45 am, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵICEF House, 3 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY, 10017<\/p>\n
[As Delivered]<\/strong><\/p>\n