Dylan Lang
U.S. Adviser for the Third Committee
New York, New York
October 5, 2023
Remarks at a Third Committee Interactive Dialogue with the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict; the Special Representative on Violence Against Children; and UNICEF
AS DELIVERED
Thank you, Chair. We thank the mandate holders and UNICEF for their tireless work to ensure children around the world are safe.
We come together yearly to discuss the protection of children, and despite the progress made, there is always more work to be done.
The 2022 numbers on children affected by conflict are devastating. There were over 27,000 instances of what the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict has identified as the six “grave violations” against children. This includes over 8,500 children killed or maimed, over 7,500 recruited or used, and nearly 4,000 abducted.
Further, every five minutes, violence takes the life of another child. It is estimated that every year, at least 1 billion children – half of the world’s children – suffer some form of violence.
We must also address the impacts climate change is having and will continue to have on children. We should better respond to the needs of children in our climate-related investments.
Let us all work together to ensure children everywhere are safe. There is no time to wait.
I thank you.
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