On October 10, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the UN, gave an intervention during the Third Committee deliberations of the Seventy-third Session of the General Assembly on Agenda Item 70, dedicated to the theme of the “Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Children.”
 
In his statement, Archbishop Auza said that the Convention on the Rights of the Child is a laudable instrument whose priorities and obligations are a reference point and stimulus for action to protect the fundamental rights of children. He called attention to the Convention’s recognition of the irreplaceable role of the family in welcoming, nurturing, educating, caring for and loving children. In response to 5.6 million children dying in 2016, mostly from preventable causes, he said quality maternal and child health care must be available to all. He encouraged the promotion of a culture that allows children to enjoy the right to education and to become responsible within the family and within the community. He also spoke to the situation of children in conflict situations and children who are migrants and refugees.

The statement can be found here.