The Permanent Mission of Malta in New York organised a high-level discussion within the United Nations (UN) in New York on Sunday that centred around the protection of children in armed conflict. This meeting focused on the devastating impact of explosive weapons in populated areas and on the emerging challenges posed by new and evolving warfare technologies.
During this meeting, the Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Chris Fearne, stressed that the protection of children must remain central to all international efforts for peace and security.
Last year, the United Nations verified over 14,200 cases of children being killed or injured in conflicts. Explosive weapons and explosives remnants of war remained among the leading causes of child casualties around the world.
Minister Fearne stated that behind every child casualty or injury during war "is a face, family, a dream, and a future taken away." He told those present that he shared these words as a man with many years under his belt as a paediatric surgeon, who has worked to save lives and protect the future of the most vulnerable.
"These are not simply statistics; they are innocent lives cut short," Minister Fearne said.
The discussion placed focused in particular on explosive weapons detonated in populated areas. It was noted that, beyond killing and injuring children, these weapons can destroy essential services, schools, hospitals, and other key infrastructure that can hinder communities for years later.
Malta is among the 91 countries that have endorsed the Political Declaration on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas, which seeks to reduce harm to civilians, the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs stated.
Minister Fearne also mentioned how drones, autonomous systems, and military applications of artificial intelligence are altering the way conflicts are fought. He stressed that human oversight, accountability and respect for international humanitarian law must remain fundamental as these technologies continue to develop.
"If, as human beings, we are still unable to stop wars, then the very least we can do is protect innocent children. Every child deserves to live in safety, grow up in peace and have a future," Minister Fearne concluded.
This high-level meeting was organised together with UNICEF, War Child Alliance, and the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. The UN's Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict is Malta's former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vanessa Frazier.
This meeting was held to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the UN mandate on Children and Armed Conflict.