Date Published: 4 November 2010
Governments from across Asia and the Pacific seek improved collaboration for children
Government ministers and officials from twenty-eight countries across Asia and the Pacific (see list below) have gathered in Beijing for a Meeting on Co-operation for Child Rights in the Asia-Pacific Region. Held during 4-6 November,this event is being hosted by the All China Women's Federation, the National Working Committee for Children and Women under the State Council, and the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China with support from UNICEF.
The participating countries represent one billion children, which is approximately 53% of the world's total child population.
Economic progress in many Asia-Pacific countries has been considerable, with hundreds of millions of people moving out of poverty during the last few decades (1980 - 2010). Howeveer, during the same period economic and social inequalities have increased, with obvious impacts on the lives of children. Officials from across the Asia-Pacific region will discuss the promotion of children's rights to health, education and protection.
" Despite the fact that children's growth in the region and the world is improving ... many children are still suffering because of war, violence, discrimination, poverty, disease and a worsening environment," said Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping.
“These consultations represent the start of something that has great potential to help build a better future for the children of this region,”said Anthony Lake, UNICEF's Executive Director. ?It is my hope this meeting will not only foster closer and stronger cooperation among the region's nations, but also help strengthen political commitment to address disparities in advancing children's rights.?
The 3 Key Themes for Discussion are:
- Achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) with equity;
- Enhancing children's lives through improved disaster risk reduction; and
- Child protection and welfare.
The three themes were selected as issues of growing significance and common concern for countries across the Asia Pacific region.
To ensure the MDGs are achieved with equity, greater efforts are required to reach and empower the poorest and most vulnerable communities. By sharing knowledge and experiences in dealing with issues of disparity and inequity, particularly in public resource allocation, countries will greatly enhance their ability to tackle these issues and accelerate progress towards the achievement of the MDG targets.
Children in the Asia-Pacific region continue to face serious child protection challenges, varying by country, but including sex selection, early marriage, violence and abuse, and trafficking. Addressing, and preventing, these problems requires a comprehensive and effective child protection and child welfare system, which is not an easy task for any government. This reinforces the need for greater exchange of experiences and cooperation between countries. Through greater cooperation considerable gains can also be made in child-centred disaster reduction strategies. As the recent floods in Pakistan and China have reminded us, the Asia-Pacific region is extremely vulnerable to disasters, including those related to climate change. It is children who suffer most. This meeting will look at how countries can work together more effectively for the benefit of all children and provide opportunities to strengthen cooperation.
Participating Countries include: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, Vietna
Source: UNICEF Website, Press Release.
