HRH Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz: We Need to Eliminate Child Labour

HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, President of the Arab Council for Childhood and Development (ACCD), has issued a statement on the occasion of the World Day against Child Labour, adopted by the United Nations to be celebrated on June 12 of each year. Following is the text of the statement:

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The issue of child labour, still haunting the global conscience, has been of our concern, as it embodies a flagrant violation of a basic right of the child. Therefore, the World Day Against Child Labour, adopted by the United Nations celebrated on June 12 annually, is an opportunity to emphasize on the need to work together in a spirit of commitment to eliminate child labour and its worst forms, by 2025, in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In fact, what the world is experiencing today in general, and our region in particular, due to the political, economic and social conditions, in addition to wars, conflicts and strife, has led to a rise in the number of children in child labour to reach 160 million of ages 5-17 years worldwide. 7.2 million of them are in the Middle East and North Africa region. There are even estimates of an increase by the end of 2022 by 8.9 million child worldwide.

There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic and its repercussions have caused a rise in the number of children in child labour at rates the world has never seen since 20 years.

However, the problem of climate change has caused a new crisis for child rights, including the issue of child labour, as all recent international reports indicate that climate change will affect the health, physical and nutritional status of children. So what about the young children who are working in harsh climatic conditions and environmental degradation fraught with danger? This will be a disaster for their health and growth. The United Nations estimates that there are about one billion children at risk due to climate change, and that this danger may reach all the children unless the world takes action now. The matter is so dangerous; the children, although they are the least responsible for climate change, unfortunately, they bear the brunt of its effects.

We call on all actors - whether governments, workers' and employers' organizations and civil society - to cooperate and exert efforts in order to assume responsibility and fulfill the obligation to eliminate child labour and its worst forms.

Children should be in schools and not in work to support their families. However, this will only come by addressing the root causes in order to combat poverty, stop violence and provide inclusive quality education for all, while providing comprehensive social protection networks and systems based on equality and non-discrimination. This calls for a global action to confront climate change and limit its effects and warrants participation of all groups, including children themselves.

We, in ACCD and all our development institutions, affirm that we continue to work with partners, in order to prepare for a better future for all ... a future that safeguards children's rights and achieves their well-being ... Our children are our future, and we have an obligation to support everything that helps them live their childhood without harm or violence.