United Nations, UN Secretary-General António Guterres says although international action over the past 25 years has led to the release of more than 170,000 boys and girls recruited to fight, more remains to be done.
Guterres was among Senior Officials, Ambassadors and other members of the international community marking the 25th anniversary of the UN mandate on Children and Armed Conflict, CAAC.
In conjunction with the anniversary, the UN Office on Children and Armed Conflict has issued a report that takes stock of challenges, gaps, successes and opportunities since its establishment.
The Secretary General in a video message for the online commemoration said children are still in harm’s way, peace is in short supply and that cycles of violence and despair will not stop automatically.
The secretary-general urged countries to continue supporting the UN Office on Children and Armed Conflict, and keep the promise made more than two decades ago.
Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, said the study also charts a way forward to further strengthen protection, and galvanise support at the international, national and local levels.
