Statement by Oļegs Iļģis, Chargé d'affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Latvia to the United Nations at the UN Security Council Open Debate on the theme “Effective strategies to end and prevent grave violations against children”
New York, 25 June 2025
Madam President, Excellencies,
I thank Guyana presidency for convening this important debate. We also thank today’s briefers Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict Ms. Virginia Gamba, UNICEF Director of Child Protection and Migration Ms. Sheema Sen Gupta and, CSO Briefer Ms. Sila, for their sobering briefings this morning.
Twenty years have passed since the adoption of Resolution 1612. Yet, the Secretary-General’s report shows that last year’s record-high number of grave violations has increased further, by another 25 percent in the current cycle.
Children are the most vulnerable group in any armed conflict. States therefore carry a clear, non-negotiable duty—to shield them from harm and be granted special protection. This is rooted in international humanitarian, human-rights and refugee law.
Madam President, allow me to offer three observations.
First, we must translate our strong normative framework into concrete protection on the ground. Persistent disregard for international humanitarian and human-rights law continues to drive killings, maiming, sexual violence and the denial of aid. Latvia reiterates its steadfast support for the Children And Armed Conflict agenda and urges all parties to respect the principles of distinction, precaution and proportionality, facilitate unimpeded humanitarian assistance, and ensure accountability of perpetrators. I would like to take this opportunity to note that Latvia has recently joined the “Prove It Matters” campaign.
Second, while the Council’s Children And Armed Conflict toolbox is robust, its application remains selective and uneven. We must follow through with practical, measurable steps – from ensuring predictable funding for child protection officers and supporting gender- and age-sensitive reintegration, to maintaining sustained dialogue on action plans with both governments and non-state armed groups.
Third, Latvia calls for complete, impartial annexes grounded in the 2010 listing criteria. The situation of over 19 000 Ukrainian children unlawfully taken across borders—with only about 1 200 returned—shows the gravity of this issue. Russia’s actions forcibly displacing Ukrainian children constitute a violation of Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention and are currently under investigation by the International Criminal Court. Verified patterns of abduction must be reflected in the annex, followed by time-bound action plans and, where necessary, targeted measures.
In conclusion, as an elected member of the UN Security Council for 2026-2027, Latvia will work to safeguard the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism, and the listing process. Budget constraints must not jeopardise the very tools that protect children; rather, they demand that we prioritise them. The Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism is a cost-effective investment in prevention.
Protecting children should not be an act of mercy or charity—it is a cornerstone of international peace and security. Let us match our words with resolve, standing with the children of Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and every conflict zone where their rights are under fire.
Thank you.