Thank you, President.

I thank SRSG Frazier and Executive Director Russell for their briefings. I have also listened carefully to the statement made by the representative of civil society.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the UN mandate on children and armed conflict. For 30 years, the international community has been improving child protection mechanisms. However, as we speak, despite repeated prohibitions, conflict-inflicted harm to children remains a shocking living reality. China welcomes the continued listing in the SG report of the perpetrators with grave violations against children in Gaza, Haiti, and other regions, supports close monitoring of the situation on the ground and timely listing of additional perpetrators of violations against children, and looks forward to the SG's submission of country-specific reports. The Security Council's Working Group on Children in Armed Conflict must conduct in-depth discussions and take concrete and effective actions. The international community must make joint efforts to fulfill the unshakable moral responsibility for child protection. I will highlight 4 points.

First, ceasefire and cessation of hostilities must be achieved to eliminate the security threats to children. Last year, the UN verified over 388,000 grave violations against children in conflict areas, which involved more than 24,000 children, and of which incidents of child killings went up by 34%. This is horrific. China condemns all acts of violence against children. Parties to the conflict must strictly abide by international humanitarian law and the relevant Security Council resolutions, fulfilling their obligations for protecting civilians, children, in particular, in the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan, and other regions, conflicts have dragged on for too long. The international community should move beyond geopolitical maneuvering, reject unwarranted interference and pressure, push the parties to the conflict to end war and hostilities, and conduct dialogue and consultations with a view to bridging their differences and resolving conflicts by peaceful means.

Second, rule of law must be strengthened to combat violations against children. The Security Council resolutions have clearly defined 6 categories of grave violations against children, setting the bottom line and off-limits zones for all parties to the conflict. The international community should make full use of its toolkit, strengthen investigation into and accountability for violations against children, and make perpetrators pay a higher price so as to deter potential perpetrators and uphold the bottom line of human conscience. China appreciates and fully supports the work of SRSG Frazier, calls on all parties to the conflict to strengthen cooperation with the UN and formulate and implement action plans on child protection.

Third, humanitarian investment must be increased to meet the basic needs for children's survival. All parties to the conflict should refrain from taking schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure as military targets, and facilitate humanitarian operations to the best extent possible with a view to ensuring prompt and smooth delivery of aid to children in conflict areas. China views positively the UN's protection of and support to over 13,000 children last year. At present, funding shortages have limited the UN's capability for humanitarian operations. The international community, traditional donors in particular, must honor their pledging commitments in earnest, while the UN agencies should actively explore more funding channels to secure more resources.

Fourth, sustainable development must be promoted to consolidate the foundation for the growth and development of children. Development is the key to addressing the root causes of conflicts and achieving lasting peace. The international community should vigorously support the conflict-affected countries in strengthening their capacity for achieving nationally-owned development, providing public services, and meeting the basic needs such as food, education, healthcare, and mental health, so as to help children thrive and better integrate into society. It is imperative to follow the people-centered approach and the philosophy of technology for good and for all, and use AI and other emerging technologies in a responsible manner to empower education for children in conflicts while proactively guarding against potential risks.

President,

China has been a consistent and staunch supporter to, advocate for, and participant in children's cause and other humanitarian causes. In 2024, China, together with ICRC and other international partners, launched the International Humanitarian Law Initiative, which aims at reaffirming the resolute commitment to IHL and has received positive responses from more than 100 countries. We hope to see more countries joining the initiative. Along with the international community, we stand ready to continue our tireless efforts to end wars and conflicts and to improve the well-being of children.

Thank you.