Protecting children in armed conflicts and replacing impunity with accountability were at the centre of a statement by Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis to the United Nations Security Council, marking 30 years since the landmark report by Graça Machel.

Statement:

“Today, the United Nations Security Council will address one of the most critical and immediate threats to international peace and security: protecting children from the horrors of armed conflict.

Around the world, children are not merely caught in the crossfire; they are deliberately denied the protection to which they are entitled under international law. They continue to pay an unbearable price for conflicts that they neither caused nor can bring to an end.

Thirty years after Graça Machel’s landmark report on the impact of armed conflict on children, we must acknowledge both the progress that has been made and the serious challenges that remain.

However, progress cannot be measured solely by commitments, but by the protection actually provided to children on the ground.

And in this respect, the reality remains deeply concerning.

The international community cannot — and must not — accept grave violations against children as an inevitable consequence of war. Nor can we allow impunity, political divisions or competing priorities to undermine our determination to act collectively.

Ahead of today’s Security Council meeting, I would like to highlight the following points:

We must translate our commitments into measurable action. We must ensure accountability. Accountability must replace impunity. Prevention must remain at the heart of our efforts. And, just as urgently, we must address emerging challenges.

The unanimous adoption just a few days ago of Security Council Resolution 2832 (2026), introduced at Greece’s initiative and supported by nearly 100 member states, represents an important step forward. We thank the members of the Security Council and the states that co-sponsored the resolution for their support.

Today, the battlefield has expanded into the digital sphere. Children face threats not only on the battlefield but also online. Through digital platforms, they can become victims of recruitment, coercion and exploitation. A child recruited through a digital platform is no less a victim than a child recruited on the battlefield. A violation facilitated by technology is no less serious than one committed through conventional means.

Technology must not become yet another weapon against children. On the contrary, it must be harnessed to protect them.

Resolution 2832 sends a clear message: the protection of children must keep pace with the changing nature of warfare. The methods used to commit violations are evolving, but our obligation to prevent them and protect children remains undiminished. Through education, technology can be harnessed for the benefit of children.

As Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed in his address to the United Nations General Assembly, the rapid development of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies must be accompanied by responsibility, effective safeguards and a clear commitment to protecting children. Greece has recently undertaken legislative initiatives in this direction.

Our message today is clear:

The protection of children is non-negotiable.

The Security Council must demonstrate unity and, above all, take action to achieve our common goal.

Thank you.”