On October 10, 2024, H.E. Ambassador Paul Beresford Hill delivered a statement at the United Nations General Assembly Third Committee on the topic of “Rights of the Child.”

At the start of the session, Ms. Ann Marie Skelton, Chair of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, addressed the Committee, emphasising the profound impact of armed conflict over the past year. She noted that the number of child victims of serious human rights violations verified by the UN has grown exponentially. Additionally, she highlighted that the displacement of children has reached an all-time high, with poverty and inequality remaining root causes of the challenges children face in their daily lives. Ms. Skelton urged member states to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening UN treaty body systems by directly addressing these pressing challenges.

Ambassador Beresford-Hill emphasised the essential role of children’s rights in shaping a secure future for society. He stressed that children affected by armed conflict and natural disasters face grave threats to their safety and access to basic needs like food, water, healthcare, and education, which are vital for their development. Ambassador Beresford-Hill reaffirmed the principles outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, advocating for a nurturing family environment for children. He also shared details of the Order’s humanitarian efforts delivering aid in Gaza, providing trauma support in Ukraine, and rebuilding schools in Iraq to ensure children’s education. Ambassador Beresford-Hill highlighted the importance of a supportive family and community structure for children’s well-being and asserted the international community’s responsibility to intervene in crisis situations to uphold children’s rights.