Under-Secretary-General Vanessa Frazier, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC), has concluded a two-day mission to the Russian Federation, where she engaged with government officials and other stakeholders on the protection of children affected by the conflict in Ukraine.
This was USG Frazier’s first visit to the Russian Federation in her capacity as CAAC Special Representative.
During her visit, the Special Representative met with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexander Alimov, as well as with representatives from the Ministry of Defence, the Office of the Russian Prosecutor General and from the Investigative Committee of Russia. She met with the Presidential Commissioner on Children’s Rights as well as with children and families. She also met with members of the United Nations team in Moscow and the Diplomatic Community.
In Moscow, the Special Representative engaged in constructive discussions on the implementation of the CAAC mandate as well as the 2025 mandate from the UN General Assembly Resolution on the return of Ukrainian children (A/RES/ES-11/9). She emphasised the need to enter into a joint commitment plan to end and prevent grave violations against children. She also highlighted the importance of proper procedures for urgently tracing and reunifying children who have been displaced, transferred, or deported during the conflict, in accordance with children’s rights and best interests.
The Special Representative also travelled to Belgorod, a city which has been directly affected by the conflict, where she met with the Acting Governor and with the Deputy Governor for Domestic Policy and the Minister for Education, and visited damaged sites in that city.
“Children continue to bear the greatest burden of the war, suffering severe harm to both their physical and mental health. It is urgent that we take measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those most affected by the conflict,” said USG Frazier. “I am hopeful that the constructive discussions can be translated into tangible protection measures for children. It is urgently needed.”
USG Frazier reiterated the United Nations commitment to supporting all efforts aimed at strengthening the protection of children. The Special Representative expressed appreciation for the support provided to her mission by the United Nations Information Centre and the UN team in Moscow.