UN special session, devoted to the protection of childhood
Regional, Culture, 5/7/2001

A third round of unofficial consultations convened in New York as part of preparations for an extraordinary UN General Assembly (UNGA) session slated for September 19-21 on the promotion of children's rights.

Egypt's Permanent representative to the United Nations ambassador Ahmed Abul Gheit stressed the importance of holding this special session to affirm the political determination of the world states to protecting and promoting the child mentally, physically and emotionally.

The extraordinary session is to follow up the recommendations of the international child summit.

"The Child summit's final communiqué involves a number of initiatives, goals and strategies on providing protection, sound health and better education to the children of the world without any discrimination, "he said.

Egypt, ambassador Abul Ghiet said that his country is specially interested in the final communiqué's call for the necessity of international cooperation and the extension of needed resources.

"Despite all achievements of the past decade in the various sectors of the child's domain, the world has nonetheless faced several crises that have cast their negative repercussions on the child," he said.

Among these are the economic and debt crises, the outbreak of epidemics, the rise in prostitution, illegal children's trade and armed conflicts, he added.

Abul Gheit urged the general assembly to examine ways to protect children and their rights especially those living under foreign occupation and in military conflict areas.

Within this context, he called for the need to end all military operations and acts of violence against civilians and children in the occupied Arab lands, where the Palestinian child continues to live under the worst inhuman conditions.

He expressed Egypt's desire for the special session to enhance international action to promote children's rights though governmental and non-governmental cooperation and institutions and to intensify efforts to mobilize the financial resources and political will needed to protect the child.

Previous Stories:
  Arab, African finance ministers meet in Morocco on childhood   (5/5/2001)
  Mandela, Annan, Bill Gates float new NGO   (5/1/2001)
  Mrs. Mubarak presides over African Child Conference   (5/1/2001)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search