It is my pleasure to deliver this statement on behalf of the Geneva Group of Friends on Children and Armed Conflict comprised of 29 States and co-chaired by Belgium and Uruguay.

Our group wishes to reiterate its unwavering support to SRSG Virginia Gamba and the CAAC mandate, and to acknowledge its important contributions for the protection of conflict-affected children.

We strongly support the last report of the SRSG which stresses the importance of adopting a holistic approach in tackling the complex challenges facing children affected by armed conflict and violence before, during and after conflict, drawing particular attention to the risk of trafficking in children in the context of armed conflict.

We appreciate that the SRSG monitors the grave violations against children in every part of the globe and we welcome the decision to add three new situations of concern, we expect that the next report will include accurate data on the situation of children in these countries.

There is no doubt that children are often the most vulnerable victims of armed conflict, facing multidimensional risks and vulnerabilities to physical harm, psychological trauma, and forced displacement. They are frequently targeted for recruitment and use by armed forces and groups, forced into labor, or subjected to sexual violence.

The importance of the work carried out by the Special Representative in providing a voice for children in conflict zones who are often unable to advocate for themselves cannot be overstated. Her work also helps to raise awareness and increase international attention, which is critical in mobilizing resources and support to protect children's rights in these contexts.

In addition to the risks posed by armed conflict, children in conflict zones have faced and continue to face additional challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the triple planetary crisis and other factors. The pandemic has disrupted education, healthcare, and humanitarian assistance, leaving children even more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

We emphasize that international cooperation and commitment are necessary to address the issue of children and armed conflict. All stakeholders must work together to protect children from the devastating consequences of armed conflict, promote their rights, and ensure their access to education, healthcare, and other basic needs.

We are convinced that parties to conflict can prevent crimes against children and protect children by abiding with their international law obligations. We encourage all States that have not yet done so to sign and ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict.

Thank you.