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Secretary-General Video message on paternity and child support to children born out of sexual exploitation and abuse

21 Nov 2024

United Nations’ peacekeeping exists to protect the vulnerable, keep the peace, and nurture the best of humanity.

Unforgivably, some people betray that mission and exploit, hurt and abuse those they are sent to protect.

The children born as a result too often face poverty, stigma, and insecurity.

They deserve recognition, support, and dignity.

The United Nations is committed to making this a reality.

But we cannot do it alone.

We count on Member States to take action where their nationals are involved:

By moving faster to resolve paternity claims;

By holding perpetrators to account;

And by working with the United Nations to urgently find solutions to resolving claims quickly.

We need a greater collective effort to redress grave abuses of trust.

Let’s make that a reality.