Here as elsewhere our work has been guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and our commitment to establish children's rights as enduring ethical principles and standards of behaviour towards children. Since 1993, much of our work has focused on building trust and encouraging dialogue among children and adolescents - the new generation now coming to adulthood. We believe in that work. No matter what comes we will make sure it continues. But recent events have made that work far more difficult.
Children are nearly always the most vulnerable and most lasting victims of conflict.
The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is no exception. As you know, more than 100 people have been killed in this conflict over the last three weeks. His death brings the number of children killed to at least 28. In addition, more than 1,200 children have been injured, many of them critically. These children represent two-thirds of all those injured.