Annan compliments departing Olara Otunnu for raising profile of children in war

With the Security Council having adopted a resolution to establish a monitoring and reporting mechanism on safeguarding children during armed conflict, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today praised its architect, Ugandan-born Olara Otunnu, for raising the profile of UN child protection efforts.

"The Secretary-General wishes to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Otunnu for his splendid services to the Organization and, in particular, for raising the profile of United Nations efforts to protect children in armed conflict," Mr. Annan said in a statement through UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric.

"The adoption of a comprehensive plan of action on a monitoring and reporting mechanism on children and armed conflict attests to the wonderful work done by Mr. Otunnu for which the Secretary-General and the international community, and no doubt children around the world, are all grateful."

The mechanism has now entered the implementation phase, Mr. Annan said, and with Mr. Otunnu's appointment as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Children and Armed Conflict having expired yesterday, former UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) Deputy Executive Director Karin Sham Poo of Norway, would head the programme until a successor to Mr. Otunnu was found.

In his statement, Mr. Otunnu said words on paper could not protect children and women in danger and he would remain actively engaged in the campaign to protect children, working to ensure compliance with instruments and norms where it mattered most – on the ground, Mr. Dujarric said.