July 2023 special update – Open debate on children and armed conflict

On July 5, 2023, the UN Security Council will hold its open debate on children and armed conflict (CAAC), under the United Kingdom's presidency. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG-CAAC) will present the Secretary-General's (SG) 2023 annual report on CAAC (forthcoming), covering the period from January 1 to December 31, 2022.

In view of the upcoming open debate, Watchlist recommends that the Security Council and other UN Member States:

1. Strongly reiterate support for the UN's CAAC agenda and call for increased compliance with international law and child protection norms;

2. Strengthen the effective use of existing mechanisms and tools to monitor, report, and\ respond to grave violations; and

3. Redouble efforts to prevent grave violations against children and protect their rights in war.