Mr Khiem, who chaired the debate, said that Vietnam’s initiative to host the event is to reaffirm the commitment and efforts made by the UNSC, the UN and the international community by achieving a long-term and comprehensive solution to the CAAC issue.

He acknowledged the UNSC’s efforts to free thousands of children from armed conflicts and said that protecting children is part of several UN peacekeeping missions.

He expressed his concern about the plight of children suffering from armed conflicts where children have become victims, such as killing and maiming, abductions, child soldiers, sexual violence and attacks on schools and hospitals.

Mr Khiem called for a comprehensive solution to the ACCA issue, focusing on preventing armed conflicts and their impact on children. To deal with the underlying cause of the armed conflicts, he said it is necessary to promote sustainable development, poverty reduction, national reconciliation and reintegration for children who had joined armed groups.

He highlighted the leading role played by member countries, concerned parties, regional organisations and the UN in addressing the issue as well as the importance of mobilising all resources to increase the operational efficiency of the UNSC mission regarding the CAAC issue. 

He reiterated Vietnam’s commitment to protecting and providing the best benefits for children. He said that Vietnam was the second country in the world and the first in Asia to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It was also one of the first countries to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflicts. He called on other countries to ratify this protocol.

The UNSC adopted a statement that condemns all violations of the rights of children, acknowledges the recent progress made in protecting children from armed conflicts and heightens the importance of education in regions where armed conflicts take place to prevent and stop the recruitment of child soldiers.

The statement calls on governments and donors to pay more attention to the impact of armed conflicts on children, provide better healthcare services, increase the exchange of information, and seek funds to support their action plans and strategies for the sake of children’s rights and their welfare. The statement also calls on all countries to join the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and other relevant protocols.

The same day, Deputy PM Pham Gia Khiem met with UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon who praised Vietnam’s economic development model as a good example for other developing countries to follow. He thanked Vietnam for its close and efficient cooperation in implementing the One UN initiative.

The UN Secretary General expressed his concern over pressing global issues including climate change and the food and energy crisis and his belief that Vietnam will support the UN’s efforts to address these issues.