UNICEF hails decision to hold African forum on children

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has commended the Organization of African Unity (OAU) for its decision to hold a high-level meeting to review the situation of Africa's children and develop recommendations for ensuring the full realization of their rights in the 21st century, the agency said today in a statement.

The Pan-African Forum on the Future of Children in Africa -- which aims to foster a dynamic movement involving governments, civil society, the corporate sector and individuals -- will adopt a common African position on the needs of children for consideration by the UN General Assembly special session on children to be held in New York in September.

"This move reinforces the OAU's continued commitment to the well-being of children," said Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of UNICEF. "African States have been among the first countries in the world to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Ottawa Convention to Ban Landmines."

The Pan-African Forum, organized by the OAU, will take place in Cairo, Egypt, from 28 to 31 May 2001. The invitees include OAU Members States, representatives of humanitarian agencies, prominent child-rights activists and scholars.

Ms. Bellamy lamented the fact that in spite of overall improvements in the quality of life for children around the world, the social and economic situation of African children continued to show marked regression due mainly to poverty, conflict, gender discrimination and HIV/AIDS. "Ten years after the 1990 World Summit for Children, the time has come for an honest and frank appraisal of the progress made for children so as to be able to address shortcomings and set a new agenda," she said.