On Thursday, June 26^th, St. Kitts and Nevis made a powerful plea for global action at the United Nations Security Council, delivering a statement on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Her Excellency Dr. Mutryce Williams, addressed the Security Council during a special debate on Children and Armed Conflict. Her remarks highlighted the alarming rise in grave violations against children worldwide, particularly in conflict zones like Haiti.

Ambassador Williams emphasized that attacks on schools, the military use of children, and the denial of basic humanitarian aid are sharply limiting children’s access to education, food, water and shelter.

She pointed to a recent United Nations Secretary-General’s report which confirmed over 41,000 grave violations against children in 2024, a staggering 25% increase from the year before and the highest number recorded since monitoring began.

These violations include: the recruitment and use of children in armed forces, killing and injuring, abductions, sexual violence, attacks on schools and hospitals and denial of humanitarian assistance.

In her address, Dr. Williams commended Guyana for its leadership as President of the UN Security Council for the month of June and called for stronger, coordinated global efforts to protect the rights and lives of the world’s most vulnerable-our children.