Read more about the history of the mandate in the publication commemorating 25 years of work to better protect children affected by conflict.

A new UN mandate is born

 On 12 December 1996, with the adoption of resolution 51/77, the General Assembly recommended the appointment of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General for children and armed conflict. The mandate was born. The international community had worked to bring the protection of children affected by war the attention it deserved and had now created a focal point for action to reinforce global child protection.


Former Special Representatives of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict

Credit: UN Photo

     Olara Otunnu, of Uganda, 1997 to 2005

Read his biography

Credit: UN Photo

  Radhika Coomaraswamy, of Sri Lanka, 2006 to 2012  

Read her biography

Credit: UN Photo

  Leila Zerrougui, of Algeria, 2012 to 2017

Read her biography

Credit: UN Photo

  Virginia Gamba, or Argentina, 2017 to present

Read her biography.