Yokohama forum renews commitment to combat sexual exploitation of children

The Second World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children concluded its work in Yokohama today after approving a key document, which reinforced pledges made five years ago to undertake concrete initiatives in the fight against the global trade in child sex.

The "Yokohama Global Commitment" calls for early ratification of international instruments that relate to the sexual exploitation of children and urges renewed efforts to address problems that put children at risk, such as poverty, inequality and discrimination. It also calls for sanctions against those who sexually exploit children - the 'demand side' - rather than against the victims.

Charged with reviewing progress since the first World Congress held in Stockholm in 1996, the meeting was co-organized by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Government of Japan, international non-governmental organization (NGO) ECPAT International, and the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

UNICEF describes the new Commitment as paving the way for reinforced government action against sexual violation of children, and serving to reinvigorate international interest by drawing attention to the problem. At the forum, the UN agency was seeking a renewed commitment, rather than a new agenda, given the fact that fewer than 50 of the States that attended the first conference had actually put in place specific actions against such abuse.

The four-day Congress attracted more than 3,000 participants, including representatives of 134 governments.