Madam President,
allow me to begin by thanking the delegation of Guyana for organizing today’s Open Debate. I also wish to thank the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict for the unwavering leadership and commitment to the issue.
Italy aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Delegation and the statement delivered by the Group of Friends of Children and Armed Conflict.
Madam President,
Italy is deeply alarmed by the Secretary-General’s latest report, which confirms that in 2024 grave violations against children reached an unprecedented scale.
We are particularly concerned by the killing and maiming of thousands of children, often resulting from the indiscriminate use of explosive weapons in populated areas. Equally disturbing is the significant increase in sexual violence, compared to the previous year, with alarming reports of gang rape used systematically as a tactic of war.
The persistent denial of humanitarian access is one of the most concerning violation in 2024. This deprives children of vital services – including healthcare, education, and protection – and aggravates their suffering.
These violations are unacceptable. Children are not – and must never be – targets of war.
Children are among the most vulnerable victims of conflict and continue to suffer intolerable violence. The international community has a duty to intensify its efforts to protect them.
Our country firmly believes that child protection must remain at the core of the international agenda and will continue to promote concrete initiatives to strengthen policies in this area.
Madam President,
Italy strongly supports the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM), the Working Group on CAAC, and the mandate of the Special Representative. These tools must be safeguarded and strengthened.
We stress the importance of ensuring safe, timely, and unimpeded humanitarian access, as reaffirmed by numerous Security Council resolutions.
Italy promotes adherence to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and we are among the first signatories of the Safe Schools Declaration.
We have supported the establishment of the Universities Network for Children in Armed Conflict to strengthen research, capacity-building, and awareness globally.
Madam President,
The protection of children in armed conflict remains a central pillar of Italy’s candidacy to the Human Rights Council for the 2026–2028 term. We renew our call for political will, coordination, and decisive action.
Children are not collateral damage. Their protection is our legal duty and our moral obligation.
Thank you.
