Statement by Dr. KAMIYA Masako, Special Advisor to the Government of Japan, 78th Session of the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, Item 67 (a, b): Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Children

Mr. Chair,

While the international community is facing multiple crises and increasingly being divided today, Japan believes that shedding a light on “human dignity” will allow us to overcome differences in opinions and values. Particularly, it is of utmost importance to recall the dignity and the future of all children and promote cooperation through addressing the various needs and issues that children face.
 
Mr. Chair,

In April of this year, Japan launched the “Children and Families Agency” whose mission is to champion the rights of children and their interests. In addition, the Basic Act on Child Policies, which is based on the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, was put into force.
 
Based on this new law, the newly established Children and Families Agency has started to promote policies and measures on children while aiming to put the voices of children, youth, and guardians at the center of society. The Government is planning to adopt the General Principles of Policy for Child-related Measures this year, which will outline general directions and critical policies related to children. The mid-term review on this process also emphasized that children and youth are entitled to rights, which need to be respected and protected.
 
Mr. Chair,

No child should be left behind when it comes to protecting their rights. Japan is committed to providing assistance for children in many parts of the world who are under vulnerable situations so that they can grow up in good health, go to school, and enjoy their rights.
 
Based on the belief that education is a foundation for lasting peace, Japan considers that ensuring access to education for children under conflict and other humanitarian situations is a critical issue. To this end, Japan has been supporting reconstruction of educational facilities, providing school meals programmes, and increasing access to digital education tools through partnering with UNICEF, UNESCO, and WFP.
 
Furthermore, it is equally important to support parents, guardians, and educational personnel to better protect the rights of children. From this viewpoint, this year, Japan is supporting a programme promoting positive parenting to reduce violence against children in five sub-Saharan African countries, led by the Global Partnership on Ending Violence Against Children (GPeVAC). This programme is offering trainings to detect, mitigate and reduce violence against children for families and schools in areas affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, conflict and climate crises.
 
Mr. Chair,

Japan is determined to continue cooperating with the international community and civil society to realize a society where children can grow up healthy and go to school free from fear.
 
Thank you very much.