Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict Concludes First Official Visit to Russia

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Vanessa Friger, completed a two-day visit to the Russian Federation. During meetings with government representatives and other interested parties, she discussed issues of child protection affected by the conflict on the territory of Ukraine.

Meetings in Moscow

This visit was Fraser’s first trip to the Russian Federation in this capacity. The special representative met with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Alimov, as well as with representatives of the Ministry of Defense, the General Prosecutor’s Office, and the Investigative Committee. She held meetings with the Commissioner for Children’s Rights, as well as with children and families. Additionally, Fraser had conversations with UN system staff in Moscow and representatives of the diplomatic corps.

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The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Children and Armed Conflict has completed a trip to Ukraine

In Moscow, the Special Representative held constructive discussions on the implementation of his mandate concerning children and armed conflicts, as well as the mandate provided for by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2025 of the year on the return of Ukrainian children. She emphasized the necessity of developing a joint plan aimed at ending and preventing serious violations of children’s rights.

She also noted the importance of conducting the proper procedure for the urgent search and reunification with the families of children who were relocated, transferred, or deported to the conflict zone, in accordance with the rights and best interests of the child.

Visit to Belgorod

The special representative also visited Belgorod – a city directly affected by the conflict, where she met with the acting governor, the deputy governor for internal affairs and the minister of education, and also inspected the damaged facilities.

“Children still bear the heavy burden of war, which harms both their physical and mental health. Urgent measures must be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of those who have suffered the most from the conflict,” Freizer stated. “I hope that constructive discussions will lead to concrete measures to protect children. This is absolutely necessary.”