I expect a genuine resolve to objectively look at the world's social and economic situation and what we collectively can do to address it effectively for the benefit of us all. There are conflicts, particularly in Africa, taking human life, destroying properties and, on the whole, regressing development. Today, poverty, homelessness, lack of education and proliferation of arms are all attributes to the recruitment of child soldiers. The situation of the girl child, either as a refugee or a displaced person, is even more deplorable. The misuse of girls, especially as military wives or labourers, is alarming.
Children have no business in armed conflict.
They are our future and we need to ensure that they develop to their fullest potential. The Millennium Summit has to address the situation of children, especially those in armed conflict. The Summit should, therefore, heed the call by developing countries, especially those of Africa, for these drugs to be made accessible to developing countries at reduced cost. We have always maintained that after the collapse of the cold war the United Nations must be well-equipped to deal with the realities of our times. Since its founding, the United Nations has witnessed a vast increase in both its membership and the array of concerns assigned to it.