New York, 13 May 2025 

Mr. President,

My Delegation welcomes this important discussion on eliminating child labour in all its forms. Already, at the end of the nineteenth century, Pope Leo XIII insisted that

“in regard to children, great care should be taken not to place them in workshops and factories until their bodies and minds are sufficiently developed. For, just as very rough weather destroys the buds of spring, so does too early an experience of life’s hard toil blight the young promise of a child’s faculties, and render any true education impossible.”[1]

With nearly one in ten of the world’s children still trapped in exploitative situations, there is an urgent need to discuss this issue.[2]

Every child, as a unique gift of God to the human family, deserves to grow up in an environment that respects the dignity, protects the fundamental rights, and promotes the integral development of the child. The persistence of child labour, despite international commitments, remains a stark reminder of our shared moral and legal responsibility to protect these most vulnerable members of our human family.

The Holy See remains particularly troubled by the continued recruitment and use of children in armed conflict, which constitutes a grave violation of their inherent human dignity and a direct affront to their fundamental rights. It is particularly disturbing that, in such circumstances, children are not only exposed to violence and exploitation on the battlefield, but are also subjected to additional grave abuses, including forced marriage and sexual exploitation. The Holy See therefore calls upon all parties to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of all children from their ranks, and to treat them first and foremost as victims in need of compassion, care, and hope.

Furthermore, children with disabilities are particularly vulnerable, underscoring the urgent need for inclusive and comprehensive protection measures.

Mr. President,

In conclusion, the Holy See reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the promotion and protection of the dignity of every child and calls upon the international community to intensify efforts that not only address the grave injustice of child labour, but also foster the conditions for the integral development of every child. This includes sustained access to healthcare, quality education and opportunities that enable each child to thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.

By placing the human person at the centre of our response and ensuring that no child is left behind, we can build a future rooted in justice, solidarity, and peace — a future in which the dignity of every child is fully protected.

Thank you.

[1] Pope Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum, Encyclical on Capital and Labor, 15 May 1891, 42.

[2] https://www.unicef.org/protection/child-labour