Attachments
Human Rights Council
Fifty-eighth session
24 February–4 April 2025
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development
Summary
In the present report, which covers the period from December 2023 to December 2024, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict explores challenges in ending and preventing grave violations against children and strengthening the protection of children affected by armed conflict. She outlines the activities carried out in discharging her mandate, the challenges faced, issues of concern and progress achieved in addressing grave violations against children. The Special Representative also lays out her advocacy activities, including through her focus on lessons learned and best practices. She provides information on her field visits and efforts to build partnerships, including with regional organizations and international partners. The Special Representative further outlines priorities and makes recommendations to enhance the protection of children affected by conflict.
I. Introduction
1. The present report, covering the period from December 2023 to December 2024, is submitted pursuant to General Assembly resolution 78/187, in which the Assembly requested the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict to submit a report to the Human Rights Council on the activities undertaken in the fulfilment of her mandate, including information on her field visits and the progress achieved and the challenges remaining on the children and armed conflict agenda. The Special Representative also elaborates on her activities regarding the request of the Assembly, in its resolution 72/245, to increase her engagement with States, United Nations bodies and agencies and regional and subregional organizations and to increase public awareness activities, including by collecting, assessing and disseminating best practices and lessons learned. The report further highlights worrying trends observed by the Special Representative in the fulfilment of her mandate and analyses areas of concern requiring further attention to better protect conflict-affected children.