UNICEF commends the Government of Iraq for signing the Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Ac

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[size=52]UNICEF commends the Government of Iraq for signing the Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action[/size]

[size=45]press release[/size]
[size=45]UNICEF commends the Government of Iraq for signing the Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action[/size]
[size=45]On the eve of Universal Children's Day, the Government of Iraq is taking important steps to accelerate progress towards achieving the Convention on the Rights of the Child in the country[/size]
[size=45]Baghdad, 19 November 2023 – UNICEF commends the Government of Iraq for signing the Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action. It demonstrates the government's serious commitment to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, as it comes on the eve of International Children's Day and before the twenty-eighth United Nations Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP28).[/size]
[size=45]The Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action was signed by the Minister of Environment, His Excellency Mr. Nizar Amedi, in the presence of the relevant ministries, children and youth. This announcement is a major step in Iraq's efforts to respond to the impact of the global climate crisis, and in supporting the priorities identified by children and youth around the world.[/size]
[size=45]“UNICEF commends the Government of Iraq for taking targeted measures to secure the rights of children and youth on the eve of Universal Children’s Day,” says Sandra Lattouf, UNICEF Representative in Iraq. “The climate crisis is a children’s rights crisis, as rising temperatures, water scarcity and extreme weather events hinder the realization of children’s basic rights.”[/size]
[size=45]Iraq ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in June 1994. Since then, the government has taken several steps to realize children's rights in Iraq, which included establishing the Child Welfare Authority and establishing the National Child Data Portal, as well as reforms to laws on child rights and protection to bring them in line with international standards.[/size]
[size=45]“I call on all actors to invest more in adaptation and response measures for children and youth, and disaster risk reduction and mitigation measures with a focus on the most marginalized groups,” Ms. Lattouf adds. “On Universal Children’s Day and every day, UNICEF remains committed to supporting the Government of Iraq to secure the rights of children and youth and accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.”[/size]
[size=45]World Children's Day is UNICEF's global day of action for children, by children. The anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child falls on November 20 of each year. It is a day that highlights critical issues affecting the lives of children and supports the participation of children and young people in advocating for their rights.[/size]
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[size=45]On the Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action[/size]
[size=45]The Declaration was launched in December 2019 during COP25, a high-level event held by the Presidency of the Government of Chile in Madrid, Spain.[/size]
[size=45]UNICEF, in collaboration with the Youth Climate Movement (YOUNGO) and the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI) coalition, supported leaders, governments and young people from around the world to launch the Declaration in an effort to accelerate comprehensive climate policies and actions that respond to children and youth at all levels. The Declaration builds on key priorities identified by members of the youth climate movement, children and young people around the world.[/size]
[size=45]The Declaration represents a first-of-its-kind set of commitments adopted by states to continue to take into account the needs, rights and special perspectives of children in their climate policies and actions at all levels. This comprehensive framework seeks to respond to the fact that the climate crisis is a children's rights crisis, while also recognizing the enormous capacity of children and young people to be powerful agents of change. It also seeks to address the widespread neglect of children in climate policies, strategies and plans.[/size]
[size=45]It is essential that we put children at the heart of climate action and invest in practical solutions that protect children from the impacts of climate change. Activating the Declaration will have a pivotal impact on children’s rights and the ability of all parties and entities to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.[/size]
[size=45]About UNICEF[/size]
[size=45]UNICEF works in the most difficult areas to reach the world's most needy children. We work in more than 190 countries and territories for every child, anywhere, to ensure a better world for all children.[/size]
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